Rates are too high, and Donelon is too cozy with the industry he regulates, claim his challengers
It seems that everyone wants to be commissioner of insurance in Louisiana. Incumbent Jim Donelon, a Republican, is running for re-election against two Democrats and another Republican for the job that pays about $115,000 a year.
Donelon has served as commissioner since 2006 when he was elected to fill a vacancy. He has been re-elected to two four-year terms since then. He served in the state legislature prior to becoming insurance commissioner. His political life, though, has been anything but charmed. He has lost bids for district attorney, lieutenant governor, US House and US Senate.
Last time around, he garnered 67% of the vote in defeating public interest attorney Donald Hodge, a Democrat, who is among his challengers again this year.
Republican challenger Matt Parker owns an auto repair shop. He says on his website that insurance commissioners tend to be tight with the industry, which he implies could be a problem.
The other Democratic challenger, Charlotte McDaniel McGehee, is an attorney who says she is running out of frustration with insurance companies. She and the other challengers point out that Louisiana has among the highest insurance rates in the country. She says she wants insurance companies to pay claims without delay.
The election will be held Oct. 22. If no one receives a majority, the top two will face a run off. None of the candidates could be reached for comment.
