Bobby Jindal
USA- Bobby Jindal's Biography
- Political Career
- First Gubernatorial Race
- Second Gubernatorial Race and Election
- Becoming Louisiana's 55th Governor
- Popularity and Initiatives
Bobby Jindal's Biography
Early Life and EducationBobby Jindal was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on June 10, 1971, to Amar and Raj Jindal, who had immigrated from Punjab, India. He graduated from Baton Rouge High School in 1988, where he excelled in various extracurricular activities such as tennis, computer club, and selling candy and magazine subscriptions.
Jindal was one of 50 American students to win a scholarship to Brown University through the PLME program, which virtually guaranteed him admission to medical school. However, his interest in public service led him to pursue a double major, including biology as his pre-med requirement. He graduated summa cum laude in 1991 with dual degrees in biology and political science.
In 1992, Jindal was named to the All-American Academic Team and was accepted to both Harvard Medical School and Yale Law School. He chose to attend New College, Oxford, instead, where he earned a Master's degree in Political Science with a thesis on healthcare reform. Despite being offered a doctoral fellowship, he declined and joined the consulting firm McKinsey & Company.
Political Career
In 1996, then-Governor Mike Foster appointed Jindal as Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, making him the youngest person to ever hold that position. During his tenure, the department moved from a $400 million deficit to a $220 million surplus. However, he faced criticism for closing several unprofitable clinics in the process. Nevertheless, Jindal also implemented several positive initiatives, such as expanding childhood immunizations and creating new services for seniors and people with disabilities.
First Gubernatorial Race
Jindal gained national attention in 2003, when he ran for governor for the first time. He won the open primary election with 33% of the vote but lost to Democrat Kathleen Babineaux Blanco in the runoff, who received 52% of the vote.
Second Gubernatorial Race and Election
On January 22, 2007, Jindal announced his candidacy for a second gubernatorial race. He was the frontrunner in pre-primary polls and defeated 11 opponents in the primary. He won 54% of the vote in the runoff but ultimately lost the general election.
Becoming Louisiana's 55th Governor
In 2007, Jindal was elected as the 55th Governor of Louisiana, becoming the first Indian-American to hold that position. At the age of 36, he was also the youngest governor in the country.
Popularity and Initiatives
In 2008, Jindal became the most popular governor in the nation, with a 77% approval rating. He implemented various conservative policies, such as education reform and tax cuts. However, he also faced criticism for his handling of Hurricane Katrina and the BP oil spill.
