Gov. Bobby Jindal transcended the usual way of politics in Louisiana for much of his political life. He fought legislators, judges, and unions with his fierce rhetoric. He has deftly handled natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina as a congressman, Hurricane Gustav as governor, and the BP Oil Spill as governor too. He did all this while being the first Indian-American governor in American history and the second Indian-American elected as a congressman in American history.
His wife is the most educated First Lady in American History at the state and federal levels of government. Also, she is the first Indian-American First Lady in American history. She has finished all the coursework for a doctoral degree in marketing from LSU, making her the first, First Lady to complete the coursework for a doctoral degree in America. I had the honor of meeting her when I was 13 at a SCASA conference in Myrtle Beach. I told my late mother Dr. Patricia S. Cooper that she may need to join her sorority Delta Sigma Theta. She was talking to my late mom about the non-profit she was starting called The Jindal Foundation.
Mrs. Jindal said that she would consider it in the future. Then, I told her and then-Congressman Jindal about my plans for black outreach and a healthcare software application concept I made up. They said they were amazed at my wit (and I was amazed at the graciousness of the compliment) and told me to direct black outreach for their campaign, due partly to my family’s Greek ties, and the National Black State Troopers Coalition being headquartered in Baton Rouge at the time. I was elated by the opportunity The Jindals gave me and was even more moved when they called my home saying it was great to meet me. I was happy to help and I am still impressed by what The Jindals have done in Louisiana to this day at the early stages of their middle aged lives. There is still much work for The Jindals to do around America. I wish The Jindals the best, lord-willing.
Jordan Thomas Cooper is a 2015 graduate of the University of South Carolina with a degree in History and a 2010 graduate of the Real Estate School of Success in Irmo. He is the first African-American to serve in both the governor and lieutenant governor’s office as an aide and first to serve in the Inspector General’s Office in S.C. (Haley) He is also the first to serve in the top three offices in the gubernatorial line of succession in South Carolina (Haley, Bauer, McConnell). He happens to be the second black presidential campaign speechwriter in American History and the first for a GOP presidential campaign (Bush 2015). He also played football for Coach Steve Spurrier.