Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal said Wednesday that the GOP would be better off tapping a governor as the party’s 2016 presidential nominee.
Mr. Jindal said Republicans should “absolutely” take into account executive branch experience at the state level before they pick their next standard-bearer.
“I am absolutely bias towards governors,” Mr. Jindal said at a breakfast hosted by the Christian Science Monitor. “I just in general think governors are better positioned and better qualified.”
Mr. Jindal is among a number of governors, including New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who are pondering White House bids.
Former Govs. Jeb Bush of Florida and Mike Huckabee of Arkansas are also flirting with diving into the race.
Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Marco Rubio of Florida and Ted Cruz are among those without executive experience that thought to be eying the 2016 presidential race.
“If you want to see conservative principles being applied, that is happened at the state level today,” Mr. Jindal said. “Its not happening DC.”
Mr. Jindal said President Ronald Reagan’s gubernatorial experience in California paid off after he captured the White House in the 1980 election. And he said Democrats would likely say the same thing about former President Bill Clinton, who served as Arkansas governor before winning the presidency in the 1992 election.
“I prefer governors,” he said. “I think having executive branch experience is a good think.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
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