( CNN ) -- Louisiana Republican Governor Bobby Jindal has n't announced another run for office -- but his large campaign spending since winning re-election in 2011 suggests he still has some political ambitions in mind . Jindal 's campaign spending totaled $ 1.8 million in 2013 , according to analysis from New Orleans paper The Times-Picayune published Tuesday , and said that was more than any other politician in the state for that year . He spent more than $ 152,600 in 2012 and 2013 for flights to New Hampshire , Iowa and South Carolina -- lynchpin states that nearly all potential presidential candidates visit to swing votes in their favor . Fees for consultants and hotels , however , remained consistent when compared to the amount he spent in 2011 when he was campaigning for governor in Louisiana . Jindal has been one of a growing list of GOP governors who could run for president in 2016 . Timmy Teepell , an adviser to Jindal who formerly served as the governor 's chief of staff , confirmed that the reported spending numbers were accurate , but said a closer look at Jindal 's expenses shows nothing unusual . `` All of it was n't spent on travel or what not , '' Teepell said , pointing out that about $ 600,000 was spent on a public awareness campaign after Jindal 's education reform policies elicited a lawsuit from the Department of Justice . At the time , funds were used to rally constituent support for Jindal 's program , an effort that falls squarely within the legal ramifications of campaign spending . `` Bobby is the governor . He 's trying to advance policy goals . Spending money to help him accomplish those policy goals is officeholder expenses , '' Teepell said . His firm , OnMessage is among the consultants who has received payments from Jindal 's campaign , according to The Times-Picayune . The Jindal adviser also said some of Jindal 's out-of-state travel is , in part , attributable to cross-country speaking engagements during his time as chairman of the Republican Governors Association in 2013 . It 's a position eyed by presidential hopefuls . The RGA 's top slot has been held by other potential 2016 contenders including Texas governor Rick Perry , and is currently maintained by New Jersey governor Chris Christie . For months , pundits have speculated about Jindal 's potential 2016 presidential run . The governor himself has joked about the irony of his busy travel schedule despite a lack of a formal campaign announcement . `` Now , some people have asked me if I intend to run for president in 2016 , '' he said in a speech May 2013 . `` And the answer is that I have no plans to run . I 've made that clear , over and over again , in Iowa , in New Hampshire and in South Carolina . '' The governor , who is legally prohibited to run for a third term as Louisiana 's top leader , has said in the past he wo n't make a decision until after December .
The Times - Picayune of New Orleans reported he spent $ 1.8 million in 2011 on campaigns . He spent money on traveling , fundraising as well as public awareness campaigns . The Louisiana governor is widely considered to be a presidential hopeful .