Jindal Could Use Clout on BESE Races

By Eileen Fleming

New Orleans, LA – University of New Orleans political science professor Ed Chervenak says Jindal may now use his clout to influence Board of Elementary and Secondary Education races.

"It'll be interesting to see what the governor does. I suspect he's probably going to get involved in some of these BESE Board elections. He would like to get the eight votes that would allow them to select a superintendent of his choice because, you know, he's more about the Recovery School District and the charter movement and there seems to be some resistance to that. So I think he'll certainly be involved in some of those contests."

Three of the candidates Jindal backed were elected Saturday, one was defeated and another candidate he supported is heading into a runoff. Jindal needs two-thirds of the 11-member board to name his preferred candidate - John White - as education superintendent.