Free Republic

<p>BATON ROUGE - Louisiana is poised to make history today, either electing its first woman chief executive or its first non-white and the nation's first Indian-American governor.</p> <p>Polls showed the race narrowing in the final hours as is usual in Louisiana's colorful political history, with the outcome perhaps dependent on who energizes their supporters to turn out while precincts are open from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m.</p>

<p>Posted on November 11, 2003 After polling registrars of voters around the state, Secretary of State Fox McKeithen has estimated that 45 percent of the state's electors will bother to vote in the Nov. 15 election.</p> <p>McKeithen said his projections are based on registrars' reports on the strength of last week's absentee voting. McKeithen predicted a 65 percent turnout in the Oct. 4 primary, but only about 50 percent of the voters trekked to the polls.</p>

McGinnis, who wrote "The Last Hayride" about LA politics, will appear shortly. He has considerable knowledge about the Blanco-Jindal rivalry.

<p>The Associated Press Posted on November 7, 2003 Angered by New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin's endorsement of Republican Bobby Jindal of Baton Rouge for governor, the mayor's entire advisory committee on gay and lesbian issues resigned Thursday.</p> <p>"Mr. Jindal has ignored numerous requests over the last three months to meet with representatives of our community to discuss issues, including economic development and civil rights," says a letter written by Randal M. Beach on the behalf of the Advisory Committee on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Issues.</p>

<p>Gubernatorial candidates still arguing over ads, not issues Louisiana Gannett News Posted on November 5, 2003 BATON ROUGE - Democrat Kathleen Blanco of Lafayette has retreated from allegations that gubernatorial rival Bobby Jindal of Baton Rouge and a "Republican truth squad" aired television commercials attacking her.</p>

<p>BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's next governor will be asked by higher education officials to continue funding reforms that are improving and stimulating growth in colleges and universities rather than subject them to cuts to balance the budget.</p> <p>"We've got all the necessary building blocks" to solve Louisiana's persistent education problems, Commissioner of Higher Education Joseph Savoie said. "Our challenge now is to follow through and finish the job."</p>

<p>BATON ROUGE - When asked how they will approach black voters, a key to who wins the Nov. 15 runoff for Louisiana governor, Republican Bobby Jindal and Democrat Kathleen Blanco said they have very specific strategies.</p> <p>Jindal said his message of a stronger public education system and better access to affordable health care will appeal to black voters, 29 percent of Louisiana's 2.7 million registered voters.</p>

Blanco, Jindal prepare for Nov. 15 runoff Staff Report Press-Herald Everybody loves a winner, as Bobby Jindal is now discovering. Phone calls have been flooding Jindal's campaign headquarters here, ever since the Republican won a third of the vote Saturday in Louisiana's governor's race. The leader in a field of 17 candidates, he is in a Nov. 15 runoff against Lt. Gov. Kathleen Blanco, who finished second with 18 percent. Jindal's phone has been "ringing off the hook," spokesman and Minden native Trey Williams said Tuesday. Businessmen, legislators, citizens, Republicans as well as Democrats - many are finding, suddenly, that...

<p>Northwest Louisiana voters overwhelmingly supported Saturday's gubernatorial front-runner and Republican Bobby Jindal, with runoff and Democrat candidate Kathleen Blanco averaging a third-place finish in most area parish races, according to results posted by the Louisiana secretary of state's office.</p> <p>However, locals contacted Sunday to analyze election results give the nod to Blanco for winning Northwest Louisiana's vote outright in the November general election.</p>