Jim Donelon
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|---|---|
 | |
| Insurance Commissioner of Louisiana | |
| In office February 15, 2006 – January 8, 2024 | |
| Governor | Kathleen Blanco Bobby Jindal John Bel Edwards |
| Preceded by | J. Robert Wooley |
| Succeeded by | Tim Temple |
| Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from the 98th district | |
| In office January 1982 – June 30, 2001 | |
| Preceded by | Charles Grisbaum |
| Succeeded by | Tom Capella |
| Personal details | |
| Born | James Joseph Donelon III (1944-12-14) December 14, 1944 (age 79) New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic (Before 1980) Republican (1980–present) |
| Spouse | Merilynn Boudreaux |
| Children | 4 daughters |
| Education | University of New Orleans (BA) Loyola University, New Orleans (JD) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Unit | Louisiana Army National Guard |
| Awards | Legion of Merit |
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James Joseph Donelon III is an American politician. He served as the Louisiana Insurance Commissioner from 2006 to 2024.[1] He previously served as member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1981 to 2001.[2]
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]
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 Senatein1998, 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 CainofBeauregard Parish.[6]
While Insurance Commissioner, Donelon allowed a temporary rehabilitation, known as a "conservation proceeding", which gave Lighthouse Insurance time to raise $65 million in new capital investments despite the company reporting three straight years of net losses from 2020 storms in Louisiana. It was the first time in years that a Louisiana carrier had been covered by a conservation proceeding. In March 2022, Donelon signed an order placing Lighthouse Insurance in liquidation proceedings after its losses from Hurricane Ida.[7]
Donelon decided not to seek another term in the 2023 Louisiana elections.[8] He was succeeded by Tim Temple on January 8, 2024.[9]
Donelon and his wife, Merilynn, have four daughters.[10]
| Louisiana House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from the 88th district 1982–2001 |
Succeeded by |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by Lyle Stocksill |
Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from Louisiana (Class 3) 1998 |
Succeeded by |
| Preceded by Daniel G. Kyle |
Republican nominee for Louisiana Insurance Commissioner 2007 |
Succeeded by Tim Temple |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Insurance Commissioner of Louisiana 2006–2024 |
Succeeded by |
