A new Independent poll shows the race for Insurance Commissioner is at a statistical dead heat with Republican incumbent Jim Donelon at 22% and GOP challenger Tim Temple at 20%. JMC Analytics pollster John Couvillon says 58% of voters are undecided.
“The thing which I think is kind of interesting is that you have a very large undecided percentage, which is never good if you are an incumbent,” said Couvillon.
Donelon is seeking a fourth consecutive full term, while Temple is a political newcomer.
Temple has poured over a million dollars of his own money into the race, buying up TV and radio ad space statewide. Couvillon says one ad, in particular, appears to have hit home.
“The ad Tim Temple is running showing Donelon taking a nap during the meeting, it looks bad,” said Couvillon.
The adscript reads “Louisiana is the most expensive state in America for insurance, why? Because we have a commissioner who is asleep at the wheel.” At which point the camera shows a picture of Donelon, who appears to be asleep at some kind of hearing. You can watch the full ad here.
Couvillon says with a week and a half before most voters lock in their choices at the ballot box, the Donelon campaign needs to move quickly to sure up undecideds, and respond to the Temple attack.
“It’s something that I would advise the Donelon campaign to come out swinging on,” said Couvillon.
The Donelon campaign did not respond to a request for a comment about the new ad (as of 5 PM, 9/23/19).
