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Rates and Contributions at Issue in Insurance Race

 “This is an extremely important office because it affects everyone in this state,” states Matt Parker, a candidate for the position.

Insurance Commissioner is one of the only statewide jobs that has a noticeable effect on the bills you pay regularly. And incumbent Jim Donelon has drawn three challengers because of those bills.

“Insurance rates are outlandish, and I think that the people need someone to represent them,” Democrat Charlotte McDaniel McGehee said, in explaining why she is running.

“Over the last 4 years, insurance rates have once again skyrocketed,” says Democrat Donald Hodge, who ran for the office four years ago.

“This year we’re number one highest rates in the country,” Parker, also a Republican, states.

Donelon acknowledges that Louisiana has very high insurance rates, but says, “We’ve always been in the top ten.”

But Hodge and Parker say the reasons for your ever-higher insurance bills are more than just historical. They say it’s Donelon himself.

“Jim Donelon has approved rate hikes over 20 percent in the last 4 years,” Hodge claims, then adds, “He has taken over one million dollars in campaign contributions from insurance companies.”

Parker makes the same assertion, then asks, “How do you regulate an industry that you’re taking all that money from? Well guess what? You’re not.”

“Louisiana doesn’t actually have an Insurance Commissioner. The insurance companies have an Insurance Commissioner,” Hodge insists.

When asked about those accusations, Donelon said, “I really think that the issue is the most knee-jerk reaction that most folks have in running against incumbents. And I don’t think voters will ultimately cast their votes based upon how campaign funds ought to be raised.”

Campaign finance disclosures filed with the Louisiana Board of Ethics confirm that the vast majority of Donelon’s campaign funding has come from insurance companies.