Far-Left Bernie Ally Vies for Key California Insurance Post
Two progressive Democrats will face off in November for California Insurance Commissioner as the state grapples with wildfire aftermath and insurance disputes.
Jane Kim, who heads the progressive California Working Families Party, secured first place with 26.8% of the vote as of Tuesday night with 83% of ballots counted, according to New York Post. State Senator Ben Allen took second place with 19.6%, setting up a Democrat-versus-Democrat showdown in November.
Kim, a former San Francisco supervisor who served as political director for Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign, benefited from an endorsement by the far-left Vermont senator that helped her surge past a packed field of 11 candidates. Sanders had promoted her candidacy in a political advertisement, portraying her as someone who would challenge established institutions and advocate for Medicare for All.
Allen, who has sponsored legislation aimed at assisting fire victims, will compete against Kim during a period when California’s insurance industry faces unprecedented scrutiny. The Los Angeles wildfires from last year have thrust the Insurance Commissioner’s role into the spotlight, with numerous fire victims struggling to resolve claims and some calling for the resignation of current Commissioner Ricardo Lara.
The closest Republican challenger, insurance expert Stacy Korsgaden, fell short of advancing to the general election with nearly 16% of the vote.
The insurance crisis has also emerged as a flashpoint in California’s gubernatorial race. Democratic frontrunner Xavier Becerra, a former state attorney general, drew attention by pledging to cap homeowners’ insurance premiums—a promise that experts say exceeds a governor’s authority.
Becerra claimed he would summon the insurance commissioner and demand a freeze on rates, threatening to investigate insurance companies if they refused compliance. However, California voters approved Proposition 103, a landmark consumer protection law that requires insurers to obtain state insurance commissioner approval before implementing rate increases—authority that rests with the commissioner, not the governor.
During a forum, Allen confirmed that the governor lacks such authority. Kim declined to give a direct answer but suggested it would be an interesting case study, as reported by New York Post.
With information from New York Post
