GOP's Jindal announces for Congress in La.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30 (UPI) -- Republican Bobby Jindal said Thursday that he would be a candidate for Congress in Louisiana's open 1st Congressional District.

Jindal, who stunned political observers with his surprisingly strong performance in the 2003 gubernatorial contest, is considered a rising star in Republican ranks.

Louisiana's 1st Congressional District is currently represented by Republican David Vitter, who is giving it up in a bid for the U.S. Senate seat held by retiring Democrat Sen. John Breaux.

If elected, Jindal would be the first Indian-American Republican to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.