Jim Donelon

James Joseph Donelon III is an American politician. He is the Louisiana Insurance Commissioner, a role he has served in since 2006.[1] He previously served as member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1981 to 2001.[2]

Jim Donelon
Insurance Commissioner of Louisiana
Assumed office
February 15, 2006
GovernorKathleen Blanco
Bobby Jindal
John Bel Edwards
Preceded byJ. Robert Wooley
Succeeded byTim Temple (elect)
Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
from the 98th district
In office
January 1982 – June 30, 2001
Preceded byCharles Grisbaum
Succeeded byTom Capella
Personal details
Born
James Joseph Donelon III

(1944-12-14) December 14, 1944
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic (Before 1980)
Republican (1980–present)
SpouseMerilynn Boudreaux
Children4 daughters
EducationUniversity of New Orleans (BA)
Loyola University, New Orleans (JD)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
RankColonel
UnitLouisiana Army National Guard
AwardsLegion of Merit

Early life and education

Donelon grew up New Orleans and attended Jesuit High School. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of New Orleans and his Juris Doctor from the Loyola University New Orleans College of Law.[2]

Political career

Donelon began his career in public office serving on the Jefferson Parish Council from 1978 to 1980.[3] From 1982 to 2001, he served as a Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives. As a state lawmaker, he chaired the House Committee on Insurance and co-chaired the Republican Legislative Delegation.[3]

He ran for Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana in 1979 and for United States Senate in 1998, but he lost both races.[3][4]

In 2001, he was appointed deputy commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Insurance by then-Insurance Commissioner J. Robert Wooley. In February 2006, Wooley resigned to take a legal position with the firm Adams and Reese in Baton Rouge, and Donelon succeeded him to the position of Insurance Commissioner.[5] Donelon subsequently won the office in a special election held in the fall of 2006 by defeating Republican State Senator James David Cain of Beauregard Parish.[6]

Personal life

Donelon and his wife, Merilynn, have four daughters.[7]

References
  1. Ballard, Mark (October 12, 2019). "Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon weathers strong challenge". The Advocate. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
  2. "JAMES J. DONELON: Louisiana Commissioner of Insurance". Louisiana Department of Insurance. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  3. Ballard, Mark (September 23, 2019). "State insurance commissioner being challenged by insurance veteran". The Advocate. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  4. "Louisiana primary election returns, September 30, 2006". staticresults.sos.la.gov. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  5. "Donelon Sworn In as Louisiana Commissioner; Predecessor Wooley Joins Law Firm". pianet.com. February 22, 2006. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  6. "Louisiana Results for Election Date: 11/3/1998". staticresults.sos.la.gov. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  7. "Jim Donelon elected Commissioner of Insurance in Louisiana primary election". 14 October 2019.
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