"This is the Governor's day, not mine. Campaigning can wait. I wish the Governor and her family well.

"It is my hope that everyone will work together to move our state forward over the remaining 10 months of her tenure."

- U.S. Congressman Bobby Jindal

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"Kathleen Blanco has served as Governor during some of the most challenging times in our state's history. I wish her and her family the very best as she completes the term and moves into private life next year. Her devotion to Louisiana has been unquestioned, and her efforts on behalf of our state have been marked by a sincere dedication to public service.

"Our state has a big agenda in the 110th Congress and all of us must continue to work together, regardless of politics or partisanship, to put our state and its people first."

- U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu

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"It was like any working relationship - there were some good times and there were some challenging times, but I wish the Governor the best as she moves forward with the next phase of her life. I'm sure it was a very difficult decision for her and her family."

- New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin

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"No American Governor has ever had to overcome the magnitude of disaster faced by Governor Blanco. I know much of her legacy will come from the challenges of Katrina, but she deserves credit for other causes she championed, particularly for children's issues like education and juvenile justice."

- New Orleans Councilwoman Shelly Midura

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"This is something she's doing for the party. I don't think there's any question about that. So many people who have been her supporters were trying to get her out. In the context of how it affects a candidate, it is powerful."

- Demographer Elliott Stonecipher

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"History will show that Governor Blanco served under the most difficult of circumstances. I am grateful for the sacrifices that she and her family made on behalf of our state.

"In the upcoming legislative session and in the final months of her administration, all of us should work together and remain focused on rebuilding Louisiana because there is much work to be done."

- Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu

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"Governor Blanco is a dedicated public servant and I thank her for her service to our state. She led us through what was without question the worst period in Louisiana's history and faced challenges no governor before her had experienced. Rita and Katrina - two of the worst natural disasters our nation has ever suffered through -- devastated a whole region of the country, causing hundreds of billions of dollars in damages and costing over 1500 people their lives. Louisiana will take decades to recover from these tragedies, but Governor Blanco has started us on the path moving forward and for that I am grateful.

"Hindsight is always 20/20, but I think most Louisianians would agree that Governor Blanco has always done what she believed was best for our state and its people, and has been one of Louisiana's most honest governors. I value both her friendship and advice and wish her the best of luck in whatever comes next."

- Congressman Charlie Melancon

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"I join other Louisianians in thanking Gov. Blanco for her many years of public service to the people of our state, the last couple under extremely difficult circumstances. I wish her the very best over the rest of her term, and in the future as she enjoys spending time with her family and pursuing other opportunities."

-- Former U.S. Sen. John Breaux, D-La., widely mentioned as a possible gubernatorial candidate

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"The Governor is a decent woman who has been very forthright with me and who I believe at all times has acted in a manner she feels is in the best interests of her state. I will continue to work with her until the conclusion of her term toward our shared goal of rebuilding the Gulf Coast."

-- Donald Powell, the federal coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding.

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"Gov. Blanco led our state through an extremely difficult time. We appreciate her efforts over the last 4 years and respect the difficult sacrifice she made tonight to move our state forward and help our state recover. We are looking forward to a legislative session where good policy comes before partisan politics and we will continue to support an agenda that focuses on advancing the needs of education, infrastructure and economic development."

-- State Rep. Eric LaFleur, chairman, Louisiana House Democratic Caucus.

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"This certainly doesn't change my strong support for Bobby Jindal for governor that I announced some time ago. I'm excited about Bobby because of the positive change he's for, not who he's running against. I really think he's the conservative reformer we need in Baton Rouge."

-- U.S. Sen. David Vitter, R-La.

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"I think she made the right decision. She would have had an uphill battle in any re-election effort and would have had to spend all of her time focused on campaigning. Now she can focus on laying a foundation for a great future for our state and building the legacy of a better Louisiana."

-- Senate President Don Hines, D-Bunkie.

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"Governor Blanco's announcement earlier this evening that she is withdrawing from the Governor's race drastically changes the dynamics of the upcoming legislative session. Operating as a lame duck Governor will undoubtedly weaken the position of her supporters who wish to spend all of the State's surplus ... The delegation understands this was a difficult decision for the Governor and wishes her and her family the best in future endeavors."

-- The Louisiana Republican Legislative Delegation, led by Rep. Jim Tucker, R-Terrytown, and Sen. Tom Schedler, R-Mandeville.

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"Perhaps more than any other Louisiana chief executive, Governor Blanco took to heart the critical needs of higher education."

-- Dr. William Jenkins, president, Louisiana State University System.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)