Ballots are continuing to be counted, but it appeared two Democrats and one Republican were leading the race for California’s next insurance commissioner as of Wednesday afternoon.
With 54% of the expected vote in, Democratic former San Francisco City Supervisor Jane Kim was ahead with 23.65%. Democratic state Sen. Ben Allen of Santa Monica, whose district includes the Pacific Palisades, was in second place with 19.19%. The only Republican, insurance agent Stacy Korsgaden, was in third with 17.53%.
Other candidates have received less than 10% of the vote so far. That includes Robert Howell, Merritt Farren, Patrick Wolff, Sean Lee, Steven Bradford, Eduardo Vargas, Eric Aarnio and Keith Davis.
The commissioner controls the California Department of Insurance, which oversees insurance regulation and licensing. The office of the commissioner approves rates on homeowner, auto and businesses coverage — everything except health insurance.
The winner will replace Commissioner Ricardo Lara, who has reached his term limit.
The new state insurance commissioner will inherit a state in crisis. Hundreds of thousands of Californians have lost their home insurance, and millions more have seen their premiums rise.