Replacing his father as state senator for District 21 has been a whirlwind experience for Sen. Robert Allain, who spent his freshman year locked in several special sessions and a regular session tackling some of the most pressing issues in Louisiana.

Those months in Baton Rouge have been spent building relationships with legislators and learning the ropes of the Louisiana Legislature, as well as beginning to build an identity of his own to identify the needs of his district.

Speaking at the New Iberia Kiwanis Club Thursday, Allain made clear that although he loves and respects his father, Brett Allain, who served 12 years before retiring last year, Robert has a bit of a different style than his father.

Allain recounted the first time he went to the chamber microphone to present his first bill, a practice that traditionally has come with a bit of hazing for freshman senators. When several senators joked about Allain taking funding away (Brett Allain was the chairman of the Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee), Allain said he eventually decided to give a comeback.

“I had enough and told them, ‘I may look like my father, but give me the opportunity and I’ll prove I was raised by my mother,’” he said with a laugh. “I love my dad, but we have different styles.”

Upon entering his first session six days after inauguration, Allain said he had two tasks in mind. One was to build relationships in Baton Rouge, and the other was to tackle the state’s insurance crisis.

Serving on the state Insurance Committee was a job Allain was told should be avoided but tackling one of the most complex and important current issues in Louisiana was something he was excited about.

“I’m no expert on insurance but I’m on my way,” Allain said. “I own businesses, I understand the ground level, but I thought it would be a great opportunity, you got to get in the middle of it.”

Serving on the committee, where 38 bills were passed this year related to insurance reform, was a difficult but gratifying experience. Allain said his first meeting was nine-hours long and dealt with a potential Blue Cross Blue Shield merger.

“I do not see your premium going down next month but I’m here to tell you that is my and the state’s number one concern. We cannot continue to see the increases,” Allain said.

As a farmer, Allain was also involved in passing legislation that dealt with sugar cane burning and crawfish imports that he hoped would better the state’s agricultural industry.

Although the regular session is over, Allain said he is still meeting with the insurance committee on a regular basis to get ready for “phase two” of dealing with insurance in the state.

“I can tell you it’s the number one thing in my district,” he said.