Kathleen Babineaux Blanco 2004-2008

Born: December 15, 1942, Iberia Parish
Political Affiliation: Democrat
Religious Affiliation: Catholic
Education: B.S. Business Education, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, 1964
Career Prior to Term: Teacher; Political Consultant; State Legislator; Member & Chairman Public Service Commission; Lieutenant Governor
How She Became Governor: Elected in 2003

Kathleen Babineaux Blanco is the first woman to be elected governor of Louisiana. In her long career of public service, she has distinguished herself and her state in a variety of positions of ever-increasing responsibility.

Kathleen Blanco has served in state offices since 1984, when she became the first woman ever elected to represent the people of Lafayette in the state legislature. She serviced two terms before being the first woman elected to the Louisiana Public Service Commission. While on the PSC, she served as chairperson in the 1993 and 1994. In 1996, she was elected to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, along with many other economic activities, was to position Louisiana along with Paris, Rome, and London as a top travel destination.

Most recently, Governor Blanco served two terms as Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana. She was re-elected by an overwhelming eighty percent of the state’s electorate. As the state’s second-highest official, she directly supervised the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, which encompasses the Offices of State Parks, State Museums, State Libraries, Cultural Development and Tourism. Recently, through the park system, she was successful in launching the Audubon Golf Trail. She also administered the Louisiana Serve Commission and the Louisiana Retirement Development Commission. Louisiana Serve oversees 64 national service projects across Louisiana and involves more than 13,000 service volunteers. The retirement development commission is dedicated to marketing Louisiana as a premier retirement state.

Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco and her husband Raymond have been married since 1964. They are the parents of six children and the proud grandparents of five.

[Above biographical information courtesy Governor Blanco's Transition Team Office.]

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