Bobby Jindal

Bobby Jindal
Bobby Jindal
Born	Piyush Jindal; June 10, 1971 (age 55); Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.
Occupation	Politician
Years active	1996–2016
Known for	55th Governor of Louisiana, U.S. Representative from Louisiana, Chair of the Republican Governors Association

Piyush "Bobby" Jindal (born June 10, 1971) is a U.S. politician who held the office of the 55th governor of Louisiana from 2008 until 2016. Affiliated with the Republican Party, Jindal represented Louisiana in the U.S. House of Representatives between 2005 and 2008 and led the Republican Governors Association as its chair from 2012 to 2013.

In 1995, Jindal was named secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals. By 1999, at just 28 years old, he became the youngest president in the history of the University of Louisiana System. In 2001, he was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as the principal advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Jindal's initial gubernatorial campaign in the Louisiana gubernatorial election, 2003 ended in defeat to Democrat Kathleen Blanco. After winning a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2004, he became only the second Indian American member of Congress and remains the sole Indian American Republican elected to date. Following his reelection in 2006, he secured the governorship in 2007 and achieved a commanding reelection victory in 2011 with over 65% of votes cast. He was recognized as the first Indian American governor in U.S. history until Nikki Haley's election in South Carolina in 2011.

On June 24, 2015, Jindal declared his intention to run in the Republican Party presidential primaries, 2016. He withdrew from the race in November that year and subsequently endorsed Marco Rubio. Jindal completed his term as governor in January 2016.

Early life and education

Born on June 10, 1971, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Jindal is the oldest son of immigrant parents from Punjab, India. His parents, Raj (née Gupta) and Amar Jindal, practiced Hinduism and hailed from Punjab. His father was a civil engineer educated at both Guru Nanak Dev University and Punjab University, Chandigarh, while his mother, a nuclear physicist who graduated from Rajasthan University, worked at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh. Prior to immigrating to the United States in 1971, both served as lecturers at an engineering college in India.

The family established their home near Louisiana State University. Jindal completed his secondary education at Baton Rouge Magnet High School, graduating in 1988. During this time, he initiated several entrepreneurial ventures such as a computer newsletter and a candy retail business.

He earned his undergraduate degree with honors in biology and public policy from Brown University in 1992. Although admitted to Brown's prestigious Program in Liberal Medical Education, he chose not to pursue medicine. During college, he also led Brown’s chapter of the College Republicans.

Selected for the USA Today All-USA Academic Team in 1992, Jindal gained admission to both Harvard Medical School and Yale Law School. Opting instead for a Rhodes Scholarship, he completed an MLitt degree specializing in political science with an emphasis on health policy at New College, Oxford by 1994. His thesis focused on "A needs-based approach to health care."

Career

Following his studies at Oxford, Jindal decided against pursuing a D.Phil. in politics and instead joined consulting firm McKinsey & Company. Subsequently, he interned for Rep. Jim McCrery of Louisiana where he concentrated on healthcare policy issues and authored an extensive report analyzing Medicare’s fiscal challenges.

Foster administration

In 1993, McCrery facilitated an introduction between Jindal and Governor Mike Foster, who subsequently appointed him as Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals in 1996. At just 24 years old, Jindal was responsible for an agency that managed nearly 40% of the state’s budget and employed over 12,000 staff members. During his leadership, Louisiana’s Medicaid program transformed from operating with a $400 million deficit to achieving three straight years of budget surpluses totaling $220 million.

During the 2007 campaign, Jindal was criticized by the Louisiana AFL–CIO for closing several clinics as part of the strategy to generate these surpluses. His tenure also saw Louisiana ascend to third place nationally in child healthcare screenings and make significant progress in immunization rates, while simultaneously expanding services for elderly and disabled populations.

In 1998, Jindal was named executive director of the National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare, charged with developing recommendations for Medicare reform. The following year, he provided guidance to the Louisiana state government on how to allocate its $4.4 billion portion of the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement funds.

At age 28 in 1999, Jindal became the youngest individual ever appointed president of the University of Louisiana System, overseeing a student body exceeding 80,000 across the nation’s 16th largest university system.

Bush administration

In March 2001, President George W. Bush nominated Jindal to serve as Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services for Planning and Evaluation. The United States Senate confirmed him unanimously, and he assumed office on July 9, 2001. In this capacity, he acted as the chief policy advisor to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. He resigned on February 21, 2003, to return to Louisiana with plans to run for governor. Among his responsibilities was addressing the nursing shortage by investigating ways to enhance nursing education programs.

2003 election for governor

Jindal emerged on the national stage during the 2003 gubernatorial race. Under Louisiana’s "open primary" system, he led the initial round with 33% of votes and secured endorsements from prominent figures including the Times-Picayune, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, and outgoing Republican governor Mike Foster.

In the runoff election, Jindal competed against Democrat and incumbent lieutenant governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco. Although he won Blanco’s hometown, he lost support in many conservative parishes in northern Louisiana. Blanco ultimately won with 52% of the vote. Analysts suggested that part of Jindal’s defeat stemmed from his reluctance to respond directly to Democratic attack ads focusing on his religion and ethnicity—ads that his campaign characterized as "negative." The 2003 contest significantly raised Jindal’s profile within Louisiana politics and established him as a prominent Republican figure.

2004

Shortly after the gubernatorial runoff in 2003, Jindal launched a campaign for Louisiana's 1st congressional district, as incumbent David Vitter sought a Senate seat. The Louisiana Republican Party endorsed Jindal, who faced competition from fellow Republican Mike Rogers. The 1st District has been under Republican control since 1977 and is known for its strong conservative base. Early fundraising efforts by Jindal amassed over $1 million, limiting his opponents’ financial resources. He secured victory in the 2004 election with 78% of the vote.

Jindal became only the second Indian-American elected to Congress since Dalip Singh Saund in 1955.

2006

Jindal achieved re-election, capturing 88% of the vote.

Congressional tenure

He completed one and a half terms prior to assuming the governorship. During his time in Congress, Jindal resided in Kenner, Metairie, and Baton Rouge.

In 2005, Jindal criticized President Bush’s budget plan for lacking sufficient spending reductions and raised concerns about the expanding Medicaid program, stressing the importance of reform. He commended Bush’s initiatives on Social Security reform while acknowledging ongoing difficulties.

After Hurricane Katrina, Jindal observed that investing in coastal restoration could have lessened some storm impact by buffering tidal surges.

Committee assignments

Jindal served as vice-chair of the House Subcommittee on the Prevention of Nuclear and Biological Attacks and was elected president of the incoming freshman class in 2004. Additionally, he held the senior leadership post of House assistant majority whip from 2004 through 2006.

2007 gubernatorial election

On January 22, 2007, Jindal declared his intention to run for governor. Polling consistently positioned him as the frontrunner. In the nonpartisan blanket primary held October 20, he surpassed eleven challengers, including Democrats State Senator Walter Boasso and Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell, as well as independent businessman John Georges.

Jindal received 699,672 votes (54%), with Boasso trailing at 17%, Georges at 14%, and Campbell at 12%. This marked the first occasion a non-incumbent candidate won Louisiana’s governorship outright without proceeding to a runoff.

First term

Jindal assembled a new ethics commission featuring Democrat Virginia Kilpatrick Shehee as vice-chair. He was sworn in on January 14, 2008, at age 36, becoming both the youngest sitting governor in the United States and Louisiana’s first elected non-white governor since Reconstruction. He also was the first Indian American elected to a governorship nationwide.

During his inauguration, Jindal referenced the 2007 LSU Tigers football national championship, highlighting his connection to local traditions.

In 2008, Jindal maintained a strong approval rating of 77%.

On June 27, 2008, a recall petition was initiated after he initially declined to veto legislation that doubled legislative salaries, contradicting his campaign promise. While opposing the pay increase personally, he respected legislative independence. However, by June 30, he reversed his position and vetoed the salary increase bill; consequently, the recall effort was dropped.

In 2009, Standard & Poor’s upgraded Louisiana’s bond rating outlook to positive, citing effective management and governmental efficiency under Jindal’s leadership. During discussions with President Barack Obama, Jindal sought federal assistance for Medicaid expenses, hurricane protection infrastructure, and funding for LSU’s teaching hospital. Obama lauded Jindal’s work ethic and educational reforms focused on charter schools.

Jindal negotiated a deal allocating $50 million in public funds for Foster Farms to purchase a bankrupt chicken processing facility formerly owned by Pilgrim’s Pride. Critics pointed out potential conflicts due to campaign donations from Pilgrim’s Pride founder Lonnie "Bo" Pilgrim and other beneficiaries such as Albemarle and Edison Chouest Offshore. Jindal defended the initiative as preserving over 1,000 jobs and boosting Louisiana’s economy with bipartisan backing.

Hurricane Gustav

In August 2008, before Hurricane Gustav struck Louisiana, Jindal orchestrated one of the largest evacuations in U.S. history, relocating nearly two million residents. He mandated evacuations along the coast and mobilized 3,000 National Guard troops to provide support. The state secured generators to ensure continuous power for hospitals and nursing facilities, while transporting at-risk individuals using buses and trains. This proactive approach resulted in only 16 fatalities nationwide, a significant improvement compared to the inadequate handling of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Jindal earned bipartisan commendation for his crisis leadership and postponed plans to attend the Republican National Convention to concentrate on disaster response efforts.

2011 re-election campaign

With strong approval ratings and considerable campaign resources, Jindal pursued a second term in 2011. The Democratic Party struggled to present a formidable challenger. In a competitive jungle primary featuring four Democrats, a Libertarian, and four independents, Jindal captured 66% of the vote, securing victory outright without a runoff.

Second term

In August 2011, Jindal received the Thomas Jefferson Freedom Award from the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) for his "exceptional public service."

On October 25, 2011, as he prepared for his second term, Jindal endorsed Republican state representative Chuck Kleckley from Lake Charles and State Senator John Alario from Westwego for Speaker of the Louisiana House and Senate President positions, respectively. Both appointments were confirmed; Alario had recently switched his affiliation from Democrat to Republican. In January 2012, Jindal named John C. White—former superintendent of New Orleans' Recovery School District—as state superintendent of education.

In August 2012, Jindal declared a statewide emergency in response to subsidence and underground instability that posed risks to lives and property.

Toward the conclusion of his second term, Jindal’s popularity waned amid budget shortfalls and reductions in public expenditures. Louisiana’s gubernatorial term limits prevented him from seeking a third term.

Tax system proposals

In January 2013, Jindal proposed abolishing the Louisiana state income tax to attract more business investment. To maintain revenue neutrality, he suggested increasing sales taxes to compensate for lost income tax revenue. However, former legislative aide C.B. Forgotston forecasted the proposal’s failure due to anticipated higher sales taxes, lack of Democratic backing, and skepticism regarding potential revenue growth.

On April 8, 2013, at the opening of the legislative session, Jindal withdrew his plan following widespread criticism from lawmakers and constituents but urged legislators to devise their own strategy for eliminating the state income tax.

Energy plan

In September 2014, Jindal unveiled a six-point energy agenda focused on enhancing energy production on federal lands and removing proposed carbon emission regulations.

Retirement from politics (2016–present)

In 2017, Jindal joined global investment firm Ares Management as an operating advisor.

By September 2022, telehealth provider LifeMD (NASDAQ:LFMD) appointed Jindal to its board of directors.

Vice presidential nomination speculation in 2008

On February 8, 2008, conservative broadcaster Rush Limbaugh identified Jindal as a possible Republican vice presidential candidate for the 2008 election, highlighting his ability to attract both conservative and moderate Republican voters. At that time, John McCain was poised to become the oldest president inaugurated for a first term.

McCain arranged a gathering at his residence in Arizona on May 23, 2008, inviting Jindal, Governor Charlie Crist of Florida, Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, along with former contenders Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee. Due to prior engagements, Romney, Huckabee, and Pawlenty were unable to attend. This meeting was likely intended to explore Jindal’s potential for delivering a speech at the 2008 Republican National Convention, thereby positioning him for future leadership roles.

Rumors escalated on July 21, 2008, when reports surfaced that McCain planned a trip to Louisiana to consult with Jindal and was preparing to announce his vice presidential pick shortly. Nevertheless, on July 23, Jindal publicly dismissed any interest in the nomination, clarifying he had not discussed the possibility with McCain. Ultimately, McCain chose then-Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska as his running mate on August 29, 2008.

Although Jindal spoke during prime time at the convention, he was not granted the keynote address. Throughout the campaign, he conveyed respect for both Senators McCain and Obama, recognizing their positive impact on the country.

Republican reply to President Obama's congressional address

On February 24, 2009, Jindal presented the official Republican rebuttal to President Obama’s speech before a joint session of Congress. He condemned the president’s economic stimulus proposal as "irresponsible," opposing increased government involvement. Citing Hurricane Katrina as a warning example, Jindal cautioned against depending on government intervention during economic downturns and praised late sheriff Harry Lee for resisting excessive government control during Katrina.

The response attracted criticism from members of both parties. Political analyst Rachel Maddow characterized Jindal as "lacking substantive ideas," interpreting his Katrina reference as an outright rejection of effective government action. Republican strategist David Johnson observed that many Republicans preferred to move beyond Katrina-related discussions. Despite unfavorable reviews concerning delivery and content, some argued that the speech should be judged on its substance rather than presentation.

Doubts emerged over Jindal’s assertion that he met Lee soon after Katrina struck since he was reportedly absent from New Orleans at that time. A spokesperson later clarified that the meeting occurred several days post-storm. Some commentators compared the honor of delivering the response to Obama’s address to winning "second prize in a beauty contest," drawing an analogy to the board game Monopoly.

2012 presidential election prospects

Jindal was viewed as a potential contender for the 2012 United States presidential election. On December 10, 2008, he indicated he probably would not enter the race, choosing instead to concentrate on his re-election campaign and acknowledging the challenges involved in shifting to a national campaign; however, he did not entirely close the door on a future bid. Interest increased after Republicans selected him to deliver their response to President Obama’s initial joint session address.

In 2009, the Jindal for President Draft Council Inc. PAC was established to raise funds for a potential campaign, though Jindal denied any involvement with this group. By April 2010, at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference, he officially announced he would not pursue the Republican nomination.

During the 2012 election cycle, Jindal traveled nationwide supporting the Mitt Romney-Paul Ryan ticket. Given strong GOP backing in Louisiana and other Deep South states, his efforts were concentrated elsewhere. In August 2012, Politico reported that Jindal was a leading candidate for appointment as United States Secretary of Health and Human Services in a prospective Romney administration.

Following Romney-Ryan’s defeat, Jindal called on Republicans to return to core principles and emphasized respecting voters during an interview on Fox News Sunday. As head of the Republican Governors Association in 2013, he criticized Romney’s comments regarding President Obama’s fiscal policies and underscored that securing voter support requires constructive engagement. Additionally, Jindal urged the party to demonstrate dedication to middle-class prosperity and social mobility while condemning controversial remarks made by GOP Senate candidates Todd Akin and Richard Mourdock throughout the campaign.

2016 presidential bid

In November 2012, Jindal appeared in a Time feature that identified him as a potential Republican contender for the 2016 presidency, emphasizing his fiscal conservatism and Indian American heritage as strengths for the party.

By 2013, falling approval ratings in Louisiana caused some commentators to question his prospects on the national stage, although others drew comparisons to Mitt Romney’s nomination despite difficulties in his home state. In October of that year, Jindal mentioned on Fox News Sunday that he was still weighing the possibility of running for president.

Jindal established an exploratory committee on May 18, 2015, for the upcoming election and formally declared his candidacy on June 24. By early September, polling showed him receiving approximately 1 percent support among Republican primary voters. He withdrew from the race on November 17, 2015, admitting that the timing was not favorable.

Throughout the campaign, Jindal criticized Donald Trump, labeling him a "narcissist" and "egomaniacal madman," yet he later endorsed Trump as a better option than Hillary Clinton, expressing apprehension about the continuation of Obama-era policies.

Abortion and embryonic stem cell research

Jindal holds a firmly pro-life voting history according to the National Right to Life Committee. While generally opposing abortion, he supports medical interventions that preserve the mother's life even if they unintentionally result in fetal loss, such as salpingectomy in ectopic pregnancy cases.

In 2003, he expressed no objection to emergency contraception following rape if requested by the victim. During his tenure in the House, he backed legislation aimed at banning interstate transportation of minors to circumvent parental notification laws related to abortion. He also opposed expanding public funding for embryonic stem cell research, maintaining conservative social positions.

Same-sex marriage

Jindal stood against both same-sex marriage and civil unions, voting in favor of the Federal Marriage Amendment which sought to define marriage exclusively as a union between one man and one woman. He also opposed the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007. In 2008, he founded the Louisiana Commission on Marriage and Family.

Following the Supreme Court's 2013 decisions on DOMA and Proposition 8, Jindal affirmed Louisiana’s commitment to traditional marriage, stressing that decisions should remain at the state level through elected officials and referenda.

Marriage and Conscience Act

In May 2015, bipartisan opposition led the Louisiana legislature to reject the Marriage and Conscience Act. In response, Jindal issued Executive Order BJ-2015-8 ("Marriage and Conscience Order") aiming to achieve comparable goals. Announcements were made about plans to reintroduce similar legislation in 2016.

Government ethics

Jindal vetoed a bill proposing higher salaries for state legislators. Despite this, Louisiana’s governor’s office was ranked last nationally for transparency both before and after his election, according to WDSU. Legislators Walker Hines and Neil Abramson attributed this ranking to a last-minute amendment inserted by Jindal’s office during the 2008 legislative session that removed gubernatorial records from public access without sufficient scrutiny.

Gun rights and firearm regulation

A committed supporter of the Second Amendment, Jindal has consistently opposed restrictions on gun ownership. During his tenure in Congress, he earned endorsements from the NRA Political Victory Fund and was awarded an A rating by Gun Owners of America. He also collaborated with Senator Vitter to co-sponsor the Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act of 2006.

In July 2015, Jindal advocated for enhanced background check protocols and called for all states to implement more rigorous screening processes for gun purchasers, highlighting the necessity of improved mental health data integration within the national background check system.

Fiscal policy

As a private individual, Jindal supported Louisiana's Stelly Plan in 2002, which balanced reductions in certain sales taxes with increases in income taxes. Once in office, he enacted tax cuts on six occasions, including what became the largest income tax reduction in Louisiana’s history—a $1.1 billion decrease over five years—and expedited the phase-out of taxes on business investments. In January 2013, he proposed abolishing all corporate and personal income taxes in Louisiana, although specific details were not disclosed.

While serving as a U.S. Representative, Jindal received ratings from the National Taxpayers Union of B in 2005, B− in 2006, and C in 2007. As Governor, his fiscal policies earned him grades of A (2010), B (2012), and B (2014) from the libertarian-leaning Cato Institute’s Fiscal Policy Report Cards on America’s Governors.

Education

In 2008, Jindal endorsed the Common Core State Standards Initiative, which was adopted by Louisiana in 2010. By 2014, he publicly defended Common Core against media allegations suggesting it was part of a right-wing conspiracy.

Jindal’s budget proposals included reductions in funding for higher education within Louisiana, prompting opposition from students and education advocates. He introduced contentious reforms such as voucher programs that allowed low-income public school students to use Minimum Foundation Program funds to attend private schools. Additionally, his legislation altered teacher evaluations, tenure policies, and pension systems, sparking widespread protests from educators and supporters at the state capitol; some even called for recalls of Jindal and Republican House Speaker Chuck Kleckley.

In April 2012, a program by Louisiana Public Broadcasting brought attention to possible conflicts between Jindal’s education reforms and existing federal desegregation orders applicable in parts of Louisiana.

Evolution

Jindal signed legislation permitting public school teachers to supplement standard evolution instruction with critiques that could include intelligent design. The law specifies that "[c]lassroom instruction and materials shall not promote any religious doctrine," but Marjorie Esman, Director of the Louisiana ACLU, criticized this wording as ambiguous and suggested the Act might face constitutional challenges. Despite opposition from individuals such as John Derbyshire and genetics faculty at Brown University, Jindal enacted the Louisiana Academic Freedom Act, which passed both chambers of the state legislature in 2008.

As a result, the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology chose not to hold its 2010 meeting in New Orleans, and the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology announced it would avoid scheduling future meetings in Louisiana.

Civil liberties

Jindal cast votes to prolong the Patriot Act, endorsed the Military Commissions Act of 2006, supported a constitutional amendment prohibiting flag burning, and approved the Real ID Act of 2005.

Immigration laws

Jindal viewed illegal immigration as both an economic burden and unjust to those who enter legally. He advocated for constructing a barrier along the Mexican border and stood against granting amnesty to undocumented immigrants.

Health care

Rejecting federal Medicaid expansion funds under the Affordable Care Act, Jindal's decision resulted in Louisiana forfeiting $1.65 billion in federal aid for low-income populations. He championed enhancements such as greater portability of health insurance, coverage for individuals with pre-existing conditions, caps on malpractice litigation, easier importation of prescription medications, adoption of streamlined electronic medical records, emphasis on preventive healthcare, and tax incentives to make insurance more affordable and accessible. During his administration, the State's Children's Health Insurance Program enrolled over 11,000 previously uninsured children. While opposing a federally mandated single-payer system, Jindal encouraged state-level initiatives aimed at decreasing the uninsured rate. Additionally, he promoted expanded resources for autistic children and supported establishing a national database for childhood cancer. Due to reductions in federal Medicaid funding by Congress, his administration implemented substantial cuts affecting LSU charity hospitals and clinics, which led to some facility closures.

Environmental issues and offshore drilling

Jindal issued an executive directive focused on boosting office recycling efforts, minimizing solid waste production, encouraging paperless workflows, providing tax incentives for hybrid vehicle purchases, and raising fuel economy as well as energy efficiency standards within Louisiana. He expressed opposition to oil cartels such as OPEC and backed legislation allocating $300 million toward coastal restoration projects in Louisiana. While serving in the House, he sponsored a bill that increased the size of the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park by more than . Jindal signed Senate Bill 469, which restricted lawsuits against oil and gas companies operating along the coastline. Furthermore, he committed state resources to support development of environmentally friendly vehicles in northeastern Louisiana in partnership with alternative energy proponent T. Boone Pickens. In September 2014, Jindal criticized federal climate change policies as regulatory overreach motivated by global warming concerns and unveiled an energy strategy opposing the Obama Administration’s policies.

Earmarks

In 2007, Jindal led Louisiana’s House delegation and ranked 14th among House members for earmark requests totaling nearly $97 million; however, he was primarily a co-sponsor on more than 99% of these rather than the main originator. Of his earmark requests, $5 million targeted state defense and indigent healthcare programs; $50 million was directed toward enhancing waterways and levees damaged by Hurricane Katrina; the remainder funded coastal restoration efforts and alternative energy research. As governor in 2008, Jindal exercised his line item veto authority to eliminate $16 million in earmarks from the state budget while permitting $30 million in legislator-added expenditures. That year, he vetoed over 250 earmarks—twice the number vetoed by previous governors combined over the preceding twelve years.

Criticism of the Recovery Act

Jindal expressed opposition to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, primarily due to concerns that the boost in unemployment insurance funding would compel Louisiana to increase taxes on businesses. Initially, he planned to reject $98 million in federal stimulus funds allocated for unemployment insurance. Nevertheless, as the state's unemployment trust fund dropped below mandated thresholds, Louisiana was eventually forced to raise business taxes. The state was slated to receive approximately $3.8 billion from the stimulus package, with Jindal intending to accept no less than $2.4 billion. He labeled certain elements of the legislation as "irresponsible," emphasizing that leaders should refrain from raising taxes or expanding federal government authority.

Claims about No-go Zones

During a 2015 speech at an event in the United Kingdom organized by the neoconservative Henry Jackson Society, Jindal asserted that Muslims had created "no-go zones" in London and other Western urban centers. These assertions were dismissed by London mayor Boris Johnson as "complete nonsense," and former UK Prime Minister David Cameron affirmed that no such zones exist within the country. Jindal later acknowledged, "I knew that by speaking the truth we were going to make people upset." When questioned by CNN for concrete examples, he refrained from providing any. He also claimed that some Muslim immigrants intend to "colonize" European cities and "supplant the culture," warning that similar developments could occur in the United States.

Personal Background

Born a U.S. citizen into a Hindu family of Indian heritage, Jindal converted to Christianity during his high school years and underwent baptism into the Catholic Church as an adult while attending Brown University. His father, Amar Jindal, previously worked as an engineering professor in India before taking a position with a Louisiana railroad company; his mother, Raj Jindal, transitioned into information technology and served as director of the Louisiana Workforce Commission. Jindal’s younger brother, Nikesh, is a Yale-educated attorney and registered Republican who supported his campaign for governor.

The nickname "Bobby" originated from Jindal’s childhood affinity for Bobby Brady of The Brady Bunch, though his official name remains Piyush Jindal. In 1997, he married Supriya Jolly, who was born in New Delhi and raised in Louisiana. Supriya holds degrees in chemical engineering and an M.B.A. from Tulane University. She established The Supriya Jindal Foundation for Louisiana's Children, which aims to enhance education in mathematics and science.

The couple has three children: Selia Elizabeth, Shaan Robert, and Slade Ryan. Their son Shaan was born with a congenital heart defect requiring surgery during infancy; as a result, the family advocates for children affected by similar conditions, particularly those without adequate insurance coverage. Remarkably, in 2006, Jindal helped deliver their third child at home through medical guidance provided over the phone.

Jindal also pursues hunting activities within Louisiana.

Publications

Up until 2001, Jindal authored various newspaper columns, law review articles, and served as lead author on scientific and policy-related journals including the Journal of the American Medical Association, Journal of the Louisiana State Medical Association, and Hospital Outlook.

His writings prior to 2001 also encompass pieces published in the New Oxford Review, notably a 1994 article titled "Physical Dimensions of Spiritual Warfare," which attracted attention during his 2003 campaign for governor. This work detailed an exorcism experience involving a friend and offered personal reflections on spiritual warfare.

In November 2010, Jindal published Leadership and Crisis, a semi-autobiographical volume shaped by his leadership during the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon explosion and ensuing oil spill disaster.

External links

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