Washington: India-born Republican candidate Bobby Jindal lost the high profile Louisiana Governorship elections to veteran Democrat Kathleen Blanco by a four per cent margin.

By winning the elections, 60 year old Blanco makes political history by becoming the first female Governor of the state in America's deep south that has seen only white men fill the post since 19th century. It is also a rare gain for democrats in elections that has seen several Republican victories.

With 93 per cent of precincts counted, Blanco a Cajun, had 52 per cent or 680,418 votes against Jindal who received 48 per cent or 640,541.

The polls, which will also elect a new state Legislature, prosecutors and a Lieutenant Governor, started at 17:30 PM (IST) yesterday (Nov 15) and closed at 07:00 AM (IST) today (Nov 16).

The outcome of the polls had to be historical in any case. The verdict would have been either in favour of 32-year-old Jindal an Indian American or a woman.

Blanco has a two-year record in public office, having served in the legislature and on the Public Service Commission before being elected Lieutenant Governor eight year ago. She had finished second behind Jindal in a six-candidate primary on October 4 with strong support in her native Cajun country and among women.

PTI