After a long battle with cancer, former Louisiana governor Kathleen Blanco has died.

According to the Advocate, the 76 year old passed away earlier this morning.  Reportedly, the former legislator and first woman ever to be elected governor in the Bayou State death was due to complications from ocular melanoma.  Blanco had suffered from the rare type of incurable cancer since December of 2017.

She leaves behind her mother, 5 children, and 13 grandchildren.  According to the report from the Advocate, Blanco passed away in hospice care surrounded by friends and family.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

The Democrat was elected governor in 2003, and looked to make the most of her historic win.  After serving 2 terms as Lieutenant Governor, she had already made a name for herself.  She touted herself as pro-business, pro-life, pro-guns and dead-set on fixing the state’s education system.  Then, 20 months into her term, disaster struck.  Hurricanes Katrina and Rita wrecked Louisiana and her administration looked completely unprepared for the massive loss of life and property.  She would not seek reelection for a second term, and ultimately left the Governor's mansion in 2007.

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