Louisiana’s Jindal joins GOP presidential field

Pitching himself as a “doer” in a field of talkers, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal declared his candidacy for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination Wednesday and set about trying to distinguish himself from better-known rivals.

An Oxford-educated son of Indian immigrants, Jindal can point to a political career filled with many achievements in a short time: a position as state health secretary when he was merely 24, election to Congress at 32 and election as governor four years later.

Aides discussed Jindal’s plans to focus on social conservatives, as he has done for months in extensive travels, and highlight his reputation as a leader steeped in policy.

Unpopular at home, Jindal waited until the state legislative session had ended and lawmakers found a way to close a $1.6 billion budget gap before he scheduled his presidential announcement.

[...] he has been building his campaign for months with trips to key presidential voting states, particularly Iowa, where he has focused on Christian conservatives.