Kim Leads Allen in California Insurance Commissioner Race
Early returns put former San Francisco Supervisor Jane Kim ahead of state Sen. Ben Allen in California’s closest statewide contest on November 3. The two Democrats are vying to succeed California’s insurance regulator, Ricardo Lara, whose current stint concludes in December. Kim led the June primary, and the early general-election results mostly mirrored voting in inland areas of central and southern California. Ballots were still being tallied as officials processed more on November 4.
The candidates agree that homeowners are struggling as insurers reduce coverage or drop customers after destructive wildfires. More people have consequently turned to the state’s FAIR Plan, the insurer of last resort. Their proposed remedies differ sharply. Kim wants a statewide disaster-insurance program funded by mandatory payments, with charges reflecting a home’s fire risk and a capped contribution shared across the state. She argues that public coverage could reduce premiums over time and support fire prevention and home improvements that make houses more resilient.
Allen questioned whether a program of that scale could be established and financed, noting that no other state has tried a comparable system. He instead proposes speeding up rate reviews, building on rules that let insurers account for catastrophe modeling and reinsurance costs, and developing home-hardening standards with state leaders. Kim has criticized his approach as preserving the existing system. Allen brought in about $2.3 million through direct donations, versus Kim’s $1.3 million; outside groups spent at least $6.5 million supporting him or opposing her, while groups backing Kim spent $4.4 million. Party and labor endorsements were divided between the candidates.
Kim’s Lead Puts California Insurance Overhaul in Reach
Jane Kim’s early lead over Ben Allen offers California voters a choice between changing who provides disaster coverage and relying on reforms to a private market that has left more homeowners on the FAIR Plan. The November 3 race remained too close to call as ballots continued to be counted the following day.
Kim proposes a statewide disaster-insurance fund, with required contributions based partly on individual fire risk and partly on a capped charge shared among homes statewide. She says removing insurers’ profit motive could bring premiums down over time and direct money toward wildfire prevention and making homes more fire-resistant. Allen argues that a public program on this scale may be difficult to launch and finance. But his alternative is to speed rate reviews, extend existing reforms and work with state leaders on home-hardening standards—an approach Kim says would leave the underlying crisis largely intact.
The endorsements show the divide: Sen. Bernie Sanders and the California Young Democrats backed Kim, while Allen won support from the state Democratic Party and Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff. Labor was split, with teachers’ and nurses’ associations supporting Kim and the building trades council backing Allen. Allen brought in about $2.3 million through direct donations, versus Kim’s $1.3 million, while outside groups spent at least $6.5 million supporting Allen or opposing Kim and $4.4 million backing Kim. The remaining count will determine whether voters chose a public alternative or another round of private-market reforms.
Allen Offers Private-Market Fix as Kim’s Public Plan Leads
Jane Kim’s narrow early lead puts a far-reaching proposal for state-run disaster insurance at the center of California’s election for insurance commissioner. The November 3 contest between Kim and state Sen. Ben Allen remained unsettled as election officials counted more ballots on November 4.
Kim wants every home to contribute to a public fund for disaster losses, with payments reflecting property risk and a shared statewide charge. She argues that a public system could lower premiums over time and finance prevention and home improvements. Allen and insurance experts have questioned whether such a program could be built and funded at the scale proposed; no other state has adopted a comparable system. Their concern is consequential: California homeowners already face a troubled insurance market after insurers cut coverage or drop customers following destructive fires.
Allen’s alternative is to reform private coverage by shortening rate reviews, allowing insurers to account for catastrophe modeling and reinsurance expenses under existing rules, and pursuing home-hardening standards. Kim calls that approach a defense of the status quo, but the choice is whether to attempt an untested public program or improve the system already in place. Allen had the backing of California’s Democratic Party, Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, and consumer groups. Kim was endorsed by Sanders, a labor-focused political party and the state’s young Democratic organization. Allen raised $2.3 million in direct contributions to Kim’s $1.3 million, and outside groups spent at least $6.5 million supporting him or opposing her, compared with $4.4 million for Kim.
Reported by The San Francisco Standard, New York Post, Los Angeles Times.
