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→2006 special election
In the special election, Donelon faced a fellow Democrat-turned-Republican in state Senator James David Cain of Dry Creek. Cain questioned Donelon's commitment to the Republican Party because of Donelon's acceptance of the staff appointment from the Democrat Wooley. Yet, Donelon has been a registered Republican for twenty years longer than Cain. Cain's opponents said that he violated [[Ronald W. Reagan]]'s "Eleventh Commandment": "Thou shall not speak ill of another Republican." Cain's state Senate term expired on January 14, 2008.
In the special election, Donelon faced a fellow Democrat-turned-Republican in state Senator James David Cain of Dry Creek. Cain questioned Donelon's commitment to the Republican Party because of Donelon's acceptance of the staff appointment from the Democrat Wooley. Yet, Donelon has been a registered Republican for twenty years longer than Cain. Cain's opponents said that he violated [[Ronald W. Reagan]]'s "Eleventh Commandment": "Thou shall not speak ill of another Republican." Cain's state Senate term expired on January 14, 2008.
Cain attempted to taint Donelon into a "guilt by association" with the legal problems that past Louisiana insurance commissioners have endured. Donelon fired back. The Internet site bayoubuzz.com reported that Donelon courted local insurance agencies. He, like Wooley and Wooley’s former boss, Jim Brown, built a strong popularity with the industry's rank and file. Bayoubuzz.com also obtained a memo that seems to outline an aggressive strategy to appeal to frustrated homeowners still awaiting their benefits from the hurricane damage. Donelon also pledged to continue Wooley's work at improving the image of the agency.
Cain unveiled a five-point plan to bring "integrity, efficiency, and accountability" to the insurance office. He accused Donelon, with whom he had served in the state House, of having billed the state $50 per hour to attend birthday and retirement parties as well as fundraising galas. He charged that Donelon was not working with insurance companies, such as Allstate, which were threatening to leave Louisiana because of the lack of return. Cain won high-powered endorsements, including former Governor [[Buddy Roemer]], Republican financier Donald T. "Boysie" Bollinger, and [[Tony Perkins]], president of the [[Family Research Council]]. He also picked up the support of a third candidate, DeAnne Henke of Lafayette, who withdrew prior to the primary. A fundraiser was held for Cain at Squire Creek Country Club in Lincoln Parish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jamesdavidcain.com/download/squirecreek_invite.pdf|title=Squire Creek|publisher=jamesdavidcain.com|date=June 27, 2006|accessdate=August 5, 2015}}</ref>
Cain attempted to taint Donelon into a "guilt by association" with the legal problems that past Louisiana insurance commissioners have endured. Donelon fired back. The Internet site bayoubuzz.com reported that Donelon courted local insurance agencies. He, like Wooley and Wooley’s former boss, Jim Brown, built a strong popularity with the insurance rank and file. Bayoubuzz.com also obtained a memo that seems to outline an aggressive strategy to appeal to frustrated homeowners still awaiting their benefits from the hurricane damage. Donelon pledged to continue Wooley's work at improving the image of the agency.
In his term as chairman of the Senate Insurance Committee, Cain criticized many of the policies of the Wooley administration, which Donelon had continued. Cain decried as "too little, too late" investigations by the Department of Insurance conducted against companies that tried to avoid reimbursing customers. He also attacked Donelon in the post-storm era, most notably over the continued operations of the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation.
In his term as chairman of the Senate Insurance Committee, Cain criticized many of the policies of the Wooley administration, which Donelon had continued. Cain decried as "too little, too late" investigations by the Department of Insurance conducted against companies that tried to avoid reimbursing customers. He also attacked Donelon in the post-storm era, most notably over the continued operations of the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation.