What’s at stake in this race

California’s insurance commissioner regulates the largest property and casualty insurance market — including homeowners and auto — in the nation, which has been in distress for the past few years as wildfire risk has grown and insurers have pulled back from writing policies. The availability of affordable insurance affects homeowners, businesses, landlords and their renters, local communities and the state’s economy. Whoever wins will have to do the “second-hardest job in the state behind the governor,” said one former commissioner, especially in the wake of devastating Los Angeles-area wildfires.

Top polling candidates appear in alphabetical order followed by more names you will see on your ballot.

Ben Allen

Party: Democratic
Occupation: California senator

Deadly fires hit this senator’s district hard last year. Allen said he will push for transparency from insurance companies and the Department of Insurance itself, including by appointing a consumer advocate. He supports revealing insurers’ fossil fuel investments and efforts to hold the fossil fuel industry accountable for climate change-related risks. He wants to ban commissioners from working in the insurance industry right after leaving office. Read Allen’s statement to CalMatters.

Key endorsements

• California Environmental Voters
• California Professional Firefighters
• Sierra Club

Steven Craig Bradford

Party: Democratic
Occupation: College access advocate

The former state lawmaker would create a public-private partnership that would share risk with insurers to keep them in the state. He would link insurance to land use and planning, and support a voluntary buyout program to encourage people to move away from high-risk areas. Read Bradford’s statement to CalMatters.

Key endorsements

• Teamsters California
• State Building and Construction Trades Council of California
• California Correctional Peace Officers Association

Merritt Farren

Party: Republican
Occupation: Attorney

The Palisades fire destroyed Farren’s home, leading the former tech executive to get involved in State Farm’s rate proceedings. He would create CAL Reinsure to provide a wildfire-risk backstop for insurers, which he says would eliminate the need for the FAIR Plan. The new entity would be funded by a fee charged by insurers. Read Farren’s statement to CalMatters.

Robert Howell

Party: Republican
Occupation: Cybersecurity company CEO

The small business owner, who won the Republican primary and ran against Commissioner Ricardo Lara in 2022, would approach the job with a watchdog mentality. He would pursue tying homeowners insurance participation by insurance companies to broader market access. He says Californians need an Insurance payers bill of rights. Read Howell’s statement to CalMatters.

Jane Kim

Party: Democratic
Occupation: Consumer advocate/attorney

The ex-San Francisco supervisor would establish Natural Disaster Insurance for All, which would be funded by a portion of policyholders’ premiums. Customers would stay with their insurers, but the state-run fund would guarantee coverage for wildfire and flood damage. She would create a public option for auto insurance. Read Kim’s statement to CalMatters.

Key endorsements

• SEIU California
• California Teachers Association
• California Faculty Association

Stacy A. Korsgaden

Party: Republican
Occupation: Licensed insurance agent

Korsgaden would encourage new insurance products; establish a new business division in the first 100 days; publish a consumer advocacy hub; and crack down on fraud to try to reduce insurance costs. Read Korsgaden’s statement to CalMatters.

Key endorsements

• California Republican Party
• Reform California
• California Congress of Republicans

Patrick Wolff

Party: Democratic
Occupation: Financial analyst

Wolff, who obtained an insurance license after deciding to run for commissioner, would create a report card that grades insurers on how they handle claims; consider allowing auto insurers to track driver behavior for underwriting purposes; and roll out a public dashboard for life-insurance providers. Read Wolff’s statement to CalMatters.

Eric Thor Aarnio
Party: Republican
Occupation: Contractor

Sean Lee
Party: Republican
Occupation: Financial Services Executive

Eduardo “Lalo” Vargas
Party: Peace and Freedom
Occupation: Science Teacher

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