Jindal largesse benefits legislative and BESE candidates around La.

Sitting on a hefty campaign account nearing $8 million and with little chance of losing his re-election bid, Jindal is spreading out his campaign dollars to a list of lawmakers and state education board members for the Oct. 22 election. The Republican governor contributed $190,500 to candidates around Louisiana, giving more than 70 legislative candidates the maximum $2,500 contribution, according to his most recent campaign finance report filed with the state ethics administration and reviewed by The Associated Press. That accounts for 13% of his spending in the latest reporting cycle, from July through earlier this month. Contributions went largely to Republicans, but also to a handful of Democrats the governor is backing. The governor gave to many candidates who don’t even have races to run because they drew no opposition, but who could help the governor get his agenda passed through the Legislature. Timmy Teepell, Jindal’s top campaign strategist, says Jindal has doled out another $67,500 since the report was filed for legislative candidates and contenders for the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. In the races where he’s contributing, Jindal’s giving everyone the maximum he can donate to their campaigns. Additional contributions, Teepell says, are slated for the re-election campaigns of Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain and Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon, both members of the GOP.