Changes

==2006 special election==

==2006 special election==

In the special election, Donelon faced a fellow Democrat-turned-Republican with [[populist]] roots, state Senator James David Cain of Dry Creek, whose legislature term expired on January 14, 2008. In the 2006 campaign, 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."

In the special election, Donelon faced a fellow Democrat-turned-Republican with [[populist]] roots, state Senator James David Cain of Dry Creek, whose legislature term expired on January 14, 2008. Cain proposed the creation of two new positions in the insurance department: an inspector general to check waste,  mismanagement, and fraud, and a consumer advocate.<ref name=asayre/> Cain also 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 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, 201; no longer on-line.}}</ref>

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, 201; no longer on-line.}}</ref>