Three incumbents, two newcomers worthy of support
October 16, 2007The Times Editorial Board continues its recommendations for Saturday's primary. Here are our choices for the lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, commissioner of agriculture and forestry, and commissioner of insurance.
COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE
JIM DONELON: Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon has met the state's horrific encounter with two hurricanes not with political bombast or draconian measures, but with a measured approach to balancing the need to create a stable climate for insurers and to protect the interest of consumers.
The recovery has and will continue to be a rocky road, but Donelon's efforts to work through the marketplace rather than a heavy-handed government solution as was the case in Florida have earned him a chance at a full four-year term. Donelon, who was first appointed and then won a special interim election in 2006, enjoyed a solid scorecard in the past legislative session, advocating the elimination of the state insurance ratings commission — Louisiana was one of the last states to have one — and the commitment of $100 million to entice new underwriters into the state, a measure that is already showing success, he says. Before taking over an interim status in 2006, Donelon had been part of an executive team advocating tougher building codes that gave insurers greater confidence. A positive result of these various efforts, he notes, is that the largest carrier in the state, State Farm, is now issuing new homeowner's policies south of Interstate 10.
Donelon also has played political hardball with insurers, taking well-publicized shots at one of the state's larger insurers for, among several issues, attempting to drop thousands of policyholders.
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