Body Shop Owner Loses in La. Insurance Commissioner Election

Oct. 26, 2015—Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon was re-elected to a fourth term on Saturday, defeating his three challengers without the need of a runoff.

Among those challengers for the position was Matt Parker, owner of Parker Auto Body in Monroe, La.

Donelon finished with 54 percent of the overall votes (Parker was third at 14 percent) in the primary election, meaning the Nov. 21 runoff would not be necessary.

Parker joined the race in March and criticized Donelon for taking contributions from the insurance industry. Along with the other candidates challenging Donelon, Parker’s campaign was not able to raise nearly as much money as Donelon.