Louisiana Agriculture and Insurance Commissioner races draw last minute challengers, Treasurer unopposed
September 9, 2011
By Greg Janetka
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana: The filing deadline to run in Louisiana's statewide elections came and went rather quietly on Wednesday. It had initially looked as if there would not be any challengers for the state executive down ballot offices - Treasurer, Agricultural and Forestry Commissioner and Insurance Commissioner - but last minute filings produced races for Agriculture and Insurance. The state treasurer, however, did not face any opposition in his bid for re-election, guaranteeing him another term.
The blanket primary will be held on October 22. A candidate winning more than 50 percent of the vote in the primary is declared the winner. However, if no candidate receives a simple majority, then a runoff takes place on November 19.
Agricultural and Forestry Commissioner
Republican Candidates
- Michael Strain, Incumbent
Democratic Candidates
Reform Candidates
Commissioner Michael Strain was elected to the position in 2007 and is seeking a second term. He faces Democrat Jamie LaBranche, an arborist and horticulturist, and Reform Party candidate Belinda Alexandrenko, a previous candidate for governor.
Strain actually came in second in the 2007 primary, but his opponent Bob Odom withdrew before a runoff could take place, leaving Strain the winner.[1]
| Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture & Forestry (2007 primary) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Bob Odom (D) | 505,504 | 41.35% | ||
| Mike Strain (R) | 494,760 | 40.47% | ||
| Wayne Carter (R) | 152,893 | 12.51% | ||
| Don Johnson (R) | 69,470 | 5.68% | ||
Insurance Commissioner
Republican Candidates
- James Donelon, Incumbent
Democratic Candidates
James Donelon has served as Insurance Commissioner since February 2006 when then commissioner J. Robert Wooley resigned. Donelon won a special election for the position in September 2006, and was re-elected in 2007. He was unopposed until the last 30 minutes of the deadline to file, when lawyer Donald Hodge qualified to run against him.[2]
Treasurer
Republican John Neely Kennedy has served as Louisiana's state treasurer since 2000. Since no one filed against him, Kennedy automatically wins re-election to a fourth term. He has run unopposed for his previous three terms.[2]
See also
External links
Campaign websites
Footnotes
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