Louisiana elects first non-white governor in more than a century

AN OXFORD-educated son of Indian immigrants won the Louisiana governor’s election yesterday, becoming America’s youngest and the first non-white to hold the state’s post since the 1870s.

Bobby Jindal, 36, carried more than half the vote against 11 opponents. With about 87% of the vote in, Mr Jindal had 53% with 588,002 — more than enough to win outright and avoid a November 17 run-off.

“My mom and dad came to this country in pursuit of the American dream. And guess what happened. They found the American dream to be alive and well right here in Louisiana,” he said to cheers and applause at his victory party.