California Insurance Commissioner

There's an abortion ballot measure in Idaho.

And then you also have the California Insurance Commissioner's race.

Okay, let's start with the Virginia 2nd Congressional District.

What's going on there?

that aims to establish a right to reproductive freedom, including abortion access up to fetal viability and in certain medical emergencies.

So it's a question of, do people in a deeply conservative state think that things have gone too far on abortion? And more broadly, does abortion still move voters at all in a way that it did four years ago?

And lastly, and I got to say this sounds like quite a narrow focus here, but what's up with the California insurance commissioner?

So this is a perfect example of an under-the-radar race that actually has very, very big consequences for a whole lot of people.

Allen is emphasizing tougher consumer protections, wildfire mitigation, faster regulatory decisions, and keeping private insurers willing to write policies in California.

State Senator Ben Allen, candidate for insurance commissioner, is with us live right now.

Senator Allen, tell us, how do you see those differences between you and your opponent and how they would be better for consumers here in California?

Oh, gosh.

Those are all direct quotes.

So I'm just trying to focus on fixing the problems as they are and not interested in this bizarre, ideological, unmoored proposal.

That seems to be kind of a prevailing thought throughout the election season this time around because she's the DSA-approved candidate here, is your opponent, Jane Kim.

Ben Allen is our guest.

It's not just the race for L.A. mayor that has two bad options.

The race for California insurance commissioner also has two bad options.

We know that the incumbent, Ricardo Lara, is termed out.

He can't run for a third term.

I've got a bold plan that's focused on creating more competition and making sure we bring insurers back while we also hold insurers accountable and we reduce risk around our state.

Today, we dig into the California insurance commissioner's race and why you should pay attention to it.

The premiums are too high, they're canceling our coverage, and even when we have insurance, they fight our claims

every step of the way.

That's coming up.

I'm Hanat Baba, and this is CrossCurrents.

Election day is just days away, and one race on the ballot that we've noticed doesn't get as much attention is the California Insurance Commissioner race.

This office regulates the largest property insurance market in the country.

So I think you'll see in the Assembly that Republican numbers are go go down it's just a matter of of magnitude and in the senate you know maybe down one or fight to a draw there's there's some interesting dynamics in the central valley races i think that are different than what we will see generically play out in this is it a blue wave or red undertow whatever you know we would end up calling it but what's going to be a good night for democrats yeah

Now, one of the more competitive races, although it is a Dem on Dem race, is for insurance commissioner, a topic that's very important for our membership.

With two contrasting candidates, I think it's fair to say, between Ben Allen and Jane Kim.

Rob, talk about this election.

Right.

I think you will see some money spent, but it's not going to be a lot, probably.

And so, you know, what's the elevator pitch to voters on an insurance commissioner? And I would think what you're most likely to see if there's business money that comes into this race is negative definition of Kim.

um, Alan has an opportunity here with the more moderate voters, Republican voters of trying to be their, their default choice.

It's not just the race for L.A. mayor that has two bad options.

The race for California insurance commissioner also has two bad options.

We know that the incumbent, Ricardo Lara, is termed out.

He can't run for a third term.

I'm Hanat Bhabha.

Election Day is just days away, and one race on the ballot that we've noticed doesn't get as much attention is the California Insurance Commissioner race.

This office regulates the largest property insurance market in the country.

And this year, the vote for who fills that job could be the thing on the ballot that has the most impact on your wallet.