Matt Parker (Louisiana)
Matt Parker (Republican Party) ran for election to the Louisiana State Senate to represent District 35. Parker lost in the primary on October 12, 2019.
Parker completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. Click here to read the survey answers.
Parker was a Republican candidate for Louisiana commissioner of insurance in the 2015 election. On March 2, 2015, he announced his campaign to challenge incumbent James Donelon (R). Parker's campaign was focused on protecting consumers, and he criticized Donelon for accepting donations from insurance companies during his campaign announcement.[1]
Biography
Parker graduated from Neville High School and worked for a year prior to joining the U.S. Air Force. After four years of military service, he returned to Louisiana to start his own business.[2] Parker has been the owner of a car repair business in West Monroe since 1984.[1]
Interview with CNN
|
Parker was interviewed by CNN correspondent Drew Griffin for a February 2015 story on a national lawsuit against insurance companies. The story detailed a suit brought by 500 auto shops across the country against insurers for approving repairs using damaged or used parts packaged as new parts.[3]
Elections
2019
See also: Louisiana State Senate elections, 2019
Louisiana elections use the majority-vote system. All candidates compete in the same primary, and a candidate can win the election outright by receiving more than 50 percent of the vote. If no candidate does, the top two vote recipients from the primary advance to the general election, regardless of their partisan affiliation.
General election
General election for Louisiana State Senate District 35
Jay Morris defeated incumbent James Fannin in the general election for Louisiana State Senate District 35 on November 16, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jay Morris (R) | 50.4 | 18,167 |
 | James Fannin (R) | 49.6 | 17,894 | |
| Total votes: 36,061 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Louisiana State Senate District 35
Incumbent James Fannin and Jay Morris defeated Matt Parker in the primary for Louisiana State Senate District 35 on October 12, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | James Fannin (R) | 38.6 | 12,559 |
| ✔ | | Jay Morris (R) | 36.3 | 11,782 |
 | Matt Parker (R) | 25.1 | 8,154 | |
| Total votes: 32,495 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2015
Parker ran for election to the office of Louisiana Commissioner of Insurance in the 2015 election. The primary election occurred on October 24, 2015. Parker lost with 14.1 percent of the vote.
Despite there being four candidates on the primary ballot, incumbent Commissioner James Donelon won a majority of votes, eliminating the need for a general election contest in November.[4]
| Louisiana Commissioner of Insurance, Blanket Primary, 2015 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  James Donelon |
53.5% | 561,382 | |
| Democratic | Charlotte C. McDaniel McGehee | 19% | 199,371 | |
| Republican | Matt Parker | 14.1% | 147,481 | |
| Democratic | Donald Hodge | 13.4% | 140,491 | |
| Total Votes | 1,048,725 | |||
| Election Results Louisiana Secretary of State. | ||||
Polling
Primary election candidates match-up
| Commissioner of Insurance | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | James Donelon  |
Matt Parker  | Undecided | Margin of error | Sample size | ||||||||||||||
| Triumph Campaigns March 5, 2015 | 45% | 13% | 41% | +/-2.4 | 1,655 | ||||||||||||||
| Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org. | |||||||||||||||||||
Campaign finance
Third quarter report (2015)
Comprehensive donor information for this election was collected from the state's campaign finance authority. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $130,200 and spent a total of $336,841.6 during this reporting period. This information was last updated on September 25, 2015.[5]
| Campaign Contributions and Expenditures | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Office | Beginning balance | Contributions | Expenditures | Ending balance |
| James Donelon |
Louisiana Commissioner of Insurance | $542,788.17 | $130,200.00 | $336,841.60 | $336,146.57 |
| Grand Total Raised | $130,200 | ||||
| Grand Total Spent | $336,841.6 | ||||
Second quarter report (2015)
Comprehensive donor information for this election was collected from the state's campaign finance authority. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $209,062.05 and spent a total of $108,560.81 during this reporting period. This information was last updated on September 25, 2015.[6]
| Campaign Contributions and Expenditures | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Office | Beginning balance | Contributions | Expenditures | Ending balance |
| James Donelon |
Louisiana Commissioner of Insurance | $456,054.65 | $190,225.00 | $100,648.64 | $542,788.17 |
| Matt Parker |
Louisiana Commissioner of Insurance | $15,711.72 | $18,837.05 | $7,912.17 | $26,636.60 |
| Grand Total Raised | $209,062.05 | ||||
| Grand Total Spent | $108,560.81 | ||||
First quarter report (2015)
Comprehensive donor information for this election was collected from the state's campaign finance authority. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $108,850 and spent a total of $93,404.03 during this reporting period. This information was last updated on May 4, 2015.[7]
| Campaign Contributions and Expenditures | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Office | Beginning balance | Contributions | Expenditures | Ending balance |
| James Donelon |
Louisiana Commissioner of Insurance | $442,350.40 | $60,050.00 | $46,345.75 | $456,054.65 |
| Matt Parker |
Louisiana Commissioner of Insurance | $13,970.00 | $48,800.00 | $47,058.28 | $15,711.72 |
| Grand Total Raised | $108,850 | ||||
| Grand Total Spent | $93,404.03 | ||||
Annual report (2014)
Comprehensive donor information for this election was collected from the state's campaign finance authority. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $308,155.79 and spent a total of $107,495.31 during this reporting period. This information was last updated on February 19, 2015.[8]
| Campaign Contributions and Expenditures | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Office | Beginning balance | Contributions | Expenditures | Ending balance |
| James Donelon |
Louisiana Commissioner of Insurance | $255,659.92 | $271,685.79 | $84,995.31 | $442,350.40 |
| Matt Parker |
Louisiana Commissioner of Insurance | $0.00 | $36,470.00 | $22,500.00 | $13,970.00 |
| Grand Total Raised | $308,155.79 | ||||
| Grand Total Spent | $107,495.31 | ||||
Campaign themes
2019
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Matt Parker completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Parker's responses.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
I believe we need to bring new businesses into Louisiana. We should also reward and assist the businesses we already have. Small businesses are the engine of our Louisiana economy. Jobs bring dignity as well as pay checks that improve our overall economy. I believe we need to build a better business climate in our State through commonsense tort reform but also seek to hold big insurance companies accountable. Finally, I believe our veterans should receive the treatment and services they deserve. Those who sacrificed so much are due our very best efforts.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
I looked up to my grandfather who was influential in my life and the man i became. 'You're only as good as your Word' is a responsibility I learned early in life. Even today, my Word is my bond. I strive in business (and will in government as well) to honor my promises to those I serve. Whether in business, public service or life in general, your moral code is your rock. I believe I am a man who honors God, Family, Country and my fellow citizens. I do this by doing my part, contributing to the common good... and living by my grandfather's addage.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
I believe honesty and integrity and faithfulness to one's Word are paramount to being a good and successful elected official.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
I believe your responsibility is to serve the people whom you represent. Not just those who voted for you, but those who did not support you in an election equally deserve honest, open, faithful service.
What legacy would you like to leave?
I would like to know that I had a positive impact on at least one person in my life. I strive to help others and provide opportunity and hope for those who want a better life through hard work and determination. I hope that I can change the direction of the State so that my children and grandchildren, along with all the youth of our State, can have a better, happier and more profitable life.
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
I have been underestimated my entire life. Because I struggled in school and didn't go to college, I have folks who think I could not succeed. I have worked long and hard to prove to myself and others that I can achieve with what God gave me and with the grace God bestows upon me.
Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?
The Senate is Starbucks, the House is Wal-mart!
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
I believe we need citizen-legislators with real-world experience. The 'experience' we have from many of our Louisiana public officials is the wrong kind of 'experience' that has resulted in the wrong kinds of outcomes.
What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
We need to reform State government and make it more result-oriented and efficient. Government does not know better than people how to spend the people's money. Government needs to help offer a level playing field and then get out of the way. Government should be in the business of 'equal opportunity' not 'equal outcomes!' We need to reform our tax structure and programs that provide services to our citizens.
What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?
The Governor is the leader of the State. He or she should provide the vision and coherent plan of action for reform and growth. The legislator should be watchdog over the exercise of functions of government. It should work with the duly elected Governor when possible but always holding the executive branch accountable to the promises made to the people.
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
I can work with most anyone. i believe it is not only beneficial, but essential, to develop a good working relationship with other legislators AND the Governor. We do not accomplish goals in the Legislature without cooperation.
If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
Insurance, Transportation, Education, Veterans Affairs
If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?
I would strive to be an important part of the leadership in the Senate and the Republican Party of my State. I believe I have a different, non-career politician perspective to offer. I am a leader and work extremely well with others. I am very goal- and result-oriented. I could see myself in a leadership role especially with the incoming freshman class in the Senate.
Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?
I have not thought about that in any depth. I trust God to lead in my life and try to stay obedient to His Will and the desires of the good folks I will serve in government.
Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?
I enjoy hearing stories of overcoming hardships to accomplish goals and succeed. I started with nothing and built a very successful business. Nothing was ever given to me. i worked for everything I have and everything I have achieved. I could have easily failed...or given up but i persevered through Faith and hard work. I love stories where the underdog achieves against all odds.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2015
Parker ran on the following themes, according to his campaign website:
| “ |
Matt Parker… taking no money from insurance companies because he wants an insurance commissioner who works for you! Matt Parker has built his business by serving the public honestly and earning trust. It’s the same way he will serve as Louisiana’s Insurance Commissioner. Insurance reforms cannot be made and rates reduced if we continue to have an insurance commissioner who has taken nearly a million dollars in campaign contributions from insurance companies. I have not and will not take insurance company contributions! Period! [9] |
” |
| —Matt Parker's campaign website, (2015) | ||
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Parker and his wife, Nora, have three children and three grandchildren.[2]
See also
2019 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 New Orleans City Business, "Louisiana insurance commissioner gets election opponent," March 2, 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Matt Parker for Louisiana, "About Matt," accessed March 9, 2015
- ↑ Repairer Driven News, "‘Anderson Cooper 360′ piece attacks insurers for ‘steering,’ parts (video)," February 12, 2015
- ↑ The Lens, "Election 2015," accessed October 25, 2015
- ↑ Louisiana Ethics Administration Program, "View Campaign Finance Reports," accessed September 25, 2015
- ↑ Louisiana Ethics Administration Program, "View Campaign Finance Reports," accessed September 25, 2015
- ↑ Louisiana Ethics Administration Program, "View Campaign Finance Reports," accessed May 4, 2015
- ↑ Louisiana Ethics Administration Program, "View Campaign Finance Reports," accessed February 19, 2015
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
