Kyle Exits La. Governor’s Race, Runs for Commissioner’s Office

Dan Kyle, a former legislative auditor, resigned from the race for the governor of Louisiana and signed up to campaign to be the state’s next insurance commissioner.

According to the New Orleans Times-Picayune and Associated Press, Kyle, a lone Republican in the commissioner’s race, realized he could not win the governor’s office but wants to serve the people of Louisiana in some capacity.

Another Republican, State Rep. Tony Perkins, pulled out of the campaign for insurance commissioner in order to take a post as president of the Washington-based conservative group Family Research Council. Perkins announced his support to Kyle, and Kyle has reportedly adopted many of Perkins’ campaign promises as his own.

Like Perkins, Kyle indicated he would refrain from accepting contributions from insurers due to conflict of interest concerns. He suggested that ties between the insurance industry and the elected commissioner are partly responsible for landing last three commissioners in jail.

The current commissioner Robert Wooley, a Democrat has reportedly said he will accept insurers’ contributions, saying the practice is legal and alleging that such contributions would not influence his regulation of the insurance business.

The election is Oct. 4.