• By MICHELLE MILLHOLLON
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Feb 9, 2010 - Page: 4A

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Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu plans to stay on the job until May despite his weekend win in the New Orleans mayor’s race.

Meanwhile, Gov. Bobby Jindal said Monday he is just getting started on picking a temporary replacement for when Landrieu does leave his state job.

Jindal’s pick would require legislative approval and would only serve until a fall election.  Jindal said his temporary appointee will have to agree not to run for the post.

“It’s too early for us to speculate on who we’re going to appoint,” Jindal said.

The governor’s chief of staff, Timmy Teepell, said there is no rush.

“Over the next couple of months, Bobby will be meeting with folks who express interest,” Teepell said.

Jindal said there is no shortage of possibilities.

“Dozens of folks have expressed interest,” he said without saying who is on the list.

The governor said he still plans to push to abolish the lieutenant governor’s post.

A constitutional amendment to do that — assuming the Legislature agrees — would be on the same ballot as the slate of candidates seeking to finish Landrieu’s term.

Landrieu easily won the mayor’s race Saturday in his third attempt at the post. He garnered more than 60 percent of the vote.

Landrieu spokeswoman Judy Morse said he will remain as lieutenant governor until he is sworn in as New Orleans  mayor in May.

The lieutenant governor is in charge of tourism as well as state parks and some museums.