Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal is facing pressure to cancel an upcoming fundraiser after Louisiana Democrats criticized the Republican governor for taking money from BP.
Mr. Jindal, who faces re-election in the Fall, is scheduled to hold a Tuesday campaign fundraiser that is being hosted by the CEO of a firm handling Gulf oil spill claims for BP.
Louisiana Democratic Party Chairman Buddy Leach said the fundraiser represented a conflict of interest. Mr. Jindal is pushing to hold BP accountable for what the governor has criticized as unfair and inadequate claims processing.
State Democrats have criticized Mr. Jindal’s fundraising activities in recent months. Democrats claim the governor has neglected his state duties, traveling outside of the state in an effort to raise money. Mr. Jindal contends he has spent nearly 90 percent of his tenure in state.
The governor’s spokesman, Kyle Plotkin, said Mr. Jindal does not see a conflict of interest.
The Louisiana Republican has called for changes in how area residents file claims with the oil company. Mr. Jindal has slammed the Obama administration’s handling of the crisis, saying the federal government failed to address concerns from residents.
