la_sen_donelon

(CBS) 


JIM DONELON

Age: 54

Born: December 14, 1944 in New Orleans, LA

Education: Loyola School of Law, J.D. (1968); University of New Orleans, B.A (1966)

Military: Louisiana Army National Guard, Colonel

Family: Married - Merilynn; four daughters

Hometown: Metairie, LA


Religion: Roman Catholic

Career: Louisiana House of Representatives (1982-present); Chairman, Jefferson Parish Council; Attorney

• Republican Challenger Jim Donelon was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 1982. Despite his high-profile position as the Chairman of the House Insurance Committee, he is not well-known statewide.

• In 1980, Donelon switched to the Republican Party and challenged then-incumbent Democratic Rep. Billy Tauzin. (Tauzin changed to the Republican Party in August 1995 after mulling the idea, earning a conservative voting record in the House, and forming The Coalition - a conservative voting bloc - with 22 other House Democrats.)

• In 1975, Donelon was elected Chairman of the Jefferson Parish Council. He held this position until his failed bid for Lt. Governor in 1979.

·Â• Donelon seeks to offer an alternative, to what he calls his opponents "beltway politics." He wants to abolish the IRS and touts his '100 percent pro-life voting record.'

• In honor of his work on legislation combating underage drinking, Donelon received the FBI's Community Service Award.

• Donelon is the State Judge Advocate for the Louisiana Army national Guard. After thirty (30) years of service, he hold the rank of Colonel.