FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 19, 2019

Donelon Commemorates the Passing of Louisiana’s First Female Governor, Kathleen Babineaux Blanco 

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon and his wife Mopsy were saddened to learn of the passing of our former Governor and is offering condolences to her husband Raymond “Coach” Blanco and their entire family.

As Louisiana’s first female Governor, Donelon notes that Blanco was a trailblazing public servant and a tireless advocate for her constituents.

Commissioner Donelon served alongside then Representative Blanco during their time in the Louisiana House of Representatives and worked extensively with Governor Blanco following the unprecedented devastation of Louisiana in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The 2005 storms combined created the largest insurance loss event in history, and as a result there was a tremendous push by insurers to eliminate their risk in states with coastal exposure. Governor Blanco worked persistently to ensure the continuity of insurance products while protecting Louisiana taxpayers.

“Today, Louisiana has lost one of its foremost advocates,” said Commissioner Donelon on Sunday. “Following the 2005 hurricanes, Governor Blanco was resolute in her commitment to maintain a private sector model for Louisiana’s insurance industry. Her steadfast dedication to free market principles ensured that Louisiana taxpayers would not bear the brunt of future losses in the wake of disasters.”

Commissioner Donelon expressed pride in the work he and Governor Blanco did together to establish policies that encouraged insurance companies to enter the Louisiana market and provide private-based risk coverage.

About the Louisiana Department of Insurance: The Louisiana Department of Insurance works to improve competition in the state’s insurance market while assisting individuals and businesses with the information and resources they need to be informed consumers of insurance. As a regulator, the LDI enforces the laws that provide a fair and stable marketplace and makes certain that insurers comply with the laws in place to protect policyholders. You can contact the LDI by calling 1-800-259-5300 or visiting www.ldi.la.gov.