Kathleen Blanco

Kathleen Blanco (2006)

Kathleen Babineaux Blanco [ ˈkæθliːn ˈbæbɪnoʊ ˈblæŋkoʊ ] (born December 15, 1942 in New Iberia , Louisiana ; † August 18, 2019 in Lafayette , Louisiana) was an American politician . She served as the first woman governor of the state of Louisiana from 2004 to 2008 .

Kathleen Blanco was a member of the Democratic Party . She graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 1964 . Before becoming governor, she was vice governor from 1996 to 2004 ; from 1984 to 1988 she was a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives .

During her tenure as Deputy Governor Mike Foster , she accelerated the development of the state's tourism. Their efforts resulted in the Franco Fête, a national celebration of French influence in Louisiana that has lasted for 300 years. The festivities attracted many tourists, especially from France and Canada . Blanco also coordinated another tourism success: the celebration of the 200th anniversary.

She was elected to the governor of Louisiana on November 15, 2003 by defeating Republican rival Bobby Jindal in a runoff election , and took office in January 2004. She was criticized by many for her reaction to Hurricane Katrina and did not run again in the gubernatorial election on October 20, 2007 . Bobby Jindal, who in turn ran as a Republican candidate, was the first non-white person to be elected governor of Louisiana since 1873 and was sworn in as Blanco's successor on January 14, 2008.

She died on August 18, 2019. Cancer .

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personal data
SURNAME	Blanco, Kathleen
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Blanco, Kathleen Babineaux (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American politician
DATE OF BIRTH	December 15, 1942
PLACE OF BIRTH	New Iberia , Louisiana
DATE OF DEATH	18th August 2019
Place of death	Lafayette