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In November 2012, after the election, Jindal was featured in a Time magazine article titled "2016: Let's Get The Party Started" in which he was listed as a possible Republican candidate for the 2016 Presidency. The article cited his fiscal and social conservative policies and his Indian American background, which would bring diversity to the GOP. In 2013, polls showed Jindal's approval ratings in Louisiana falling significantly, and many pundits wrote off Jindal as a serious national contender. Despite this, in October 2013, Jindal told Fox News Sunday that he was still mulling a 2016 presidential run.
On June 24, 2015, Jindal announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination in the 2016 presidential election. Jindal officially launched his campaign with an announcement via Twitter, followed by a planned formal announcement in the New Orleans suburb of Kenner later that day. He is the first Indian American to run for President of the United States, and is the first Asian American to mount a nationwide campaign for President.
Jindal's candidacy hasn't fared well in polling numbers so far. He has consistently fallen below the top 10 candidates in polling numbers, and the current average of polls tallied by Real Clear Politics has him polling at 0.3%.
Following are some of the political positions taken by Jindal:
Abortion and stem cell research: Jindal has a 100% pro-life voting record according to the National Right to Life Committee. He opposes abortion in general, but does not condemn medical procedures aimed at saving the life of the mother that indirectly result in the loss of the unborn child. He has also stated that he does not object to the use of emergency contraception in the case of rape if the victim requests it. While in the House of Representatives, he supported two bills to prohibit transporting minors across state lines to obtain an abortion. He opposes and has voted against expanding public funding of embryonic stem cell research.
Same-sex marriage: Jindal opposes the legalization of same-sex marriage. In Congress, he has voted for the Federal Marriage Amendment to restrict marriage to a union between one man and one woman. He also voted against the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007. Following the 2013 Supreme Court's rulings on DOMA and Proposition 8, he said: "I believe every child deserves a mom and a dad. This opinion leaves the matter of marriage to the states where people can decide. In Louisiana, we will opt for traditional marriage. How about we let the people decide for themselves, via their representatives and via referendum?"
Government ethics: The Louisiana governor's office has been ranked last in the nation for transparency. Legislation that removed the governor's records from the public domain was inserted as a last-minute amendment into an education bill by Jindal's office on the last day of the 2008 session, providing no time to debate it before it passed the legislature and was signed into law by Jindal.
Gun rights and gun control: Jindal opposed efforts to restrict gun rights and has received an endorsement from the National Rifle Association. He earned an A rating from Gun Owners of America while he was in Congress. In July 2015, during an interview with CBS, Jindal stated that he supports stricter background checks, and that every state should begin to to enact tougher background checks on gun buyers.
Taxation: Since taking office, Jindal has cut taxes a total of six times, including the largest income tax cut in Louisiana's history – a cut of $1.1 billion over five years. He also accelerated the plan for the elimination of the tax on business investments. In January 2013, Jindal stated he wants to eliminate all Louisiana corporate and personal income taxes, without giving details for his proposal. The National Taxpayers Union, a conservative taxpayers advocacy organization, has given Governor Jindal grades of A in 2010, B in 2012, and B in 2014.
Education: Jindal supports the Common Core State Standards Initiative, which Louisiana adopted in 2010.
Jindal has proposed budgets that impose cuts on higher education funding in Louisiana, leading to protests from students and education advocates. Jindal has proposed several controversial education reforms, including vouchers for low income students in public schools to attend private institutions. The legislation also includes controversial changes in teacher evaluations, tenure and pensions. Teachers, administrators and public education supporters have protested against the legislation, some of whom have canceled classes to attend demonstrations. These groups have circulated petitions to recall Jindal.
Evolution: Jindal signed a law that permits teachers at public schools to supplement standard evolutionary curricula with analysis and critiques that may include intelligent design. The law forbids "the promotion of any religious doctrine and will not discriminate against religion or non-religion."
Civil liberties: Jindal voted to extend the Patriot Act and voted in favor of the Military Commissions Act of 2006. He also supported a constitutional amendment banning flag burning.
Immigration laws: He has criticized illegal immigration as a drain on the economy, as well as being unfair to those who entered the country by legal means. He has voted to build a fence along the Mexican border and opposes granting amnesty for illegal immigrants.
Health care: Jindal refused to accept federal funds to expand Medicaid after the passage of the Affordable Care Act, costing his state $1.65 billion in federal health-care assistance for the poor. He supports increased health insurance portability, laws promoting coverage of pre-existing medical conditions, a cap on malpractice lawsuits, an easing of restrictions on importation of prescription medications, the implementation of a streamlined electronic medical records system, an emphasis on preventative care rather than emergency room care, and tax benefits aimed at making health insurance more affordable for the uninsured. He opposes a federal government-run, single-payer system. The Jindal administration imposed large cuts on the network of LSU charity hospitals and clinics, requiring some facilities to close.
Environmental issues and offshore drilling: Jindal has issued an executive orders increasing office recycling programs, reducing solid waste and promoting paperless practices, offering tax credit for hybrid fuel vehicles, increasing average fuel economy goals by 2010, as well as increasing energy efficiency goals and standards for the state. As a representative in the House, he supported a $300-million bill to fund Louisiana coastal restoration. In September 2014, Jindal stated that global warming was more about increasing government regulation, and released an energy plan that was critical of the Obama Administration's policies.
Opposition to Recovery Act: Jindal has been an opponent of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Citing concerns that the augmentation of unemployment insurance may obligate the state to raise taxes on businesses, Jindal had stated his intention to forgo federal stimulus plan funds ($98 million) aimed at increasing unemployment insurance for Louisiana. Louisiana has since been obligated to raise taxes on businesses because the unemployment trust fund had dropped below the prescribed threshold. Jindal intends to accept at least $2.4 billion from the stimulus package. He called parts of the plan "irresponsible", saying that "the way to lead is not to raise taxes and put more money and power in hands of Washington politicians."