Incumbent Ricardo Lara Leads in California Insurance Commissioner Primary

Kiel Corkran, an IRS tax examiner who is studying actuarial science, is the only Democrat candidate now in the race.

California

Lara was a state legislator when he became commissioner in 2018. He was known for promoting a shift to a “single-payer,” entirely government-run, health care finance system.

None of his opponents mention experience in the insurance industry, or the words “life insurance,” “annuities” or “retirement,” in their candidate statements.

Howell, who is now in second place, with 17.8% of the votes counted, is the CEO of Exatron, a San Jose, California-based company that makes therm test solutions, device handlers, automated programming systems, laser marking systems, machine visions, sockets, and other electronic machines and machine components.

California election workers are still counting vote-by-mail ballots, provisional ballots and some other types of ballots. They expect to certify their results by July 15.

Georgia

In Georgia, King won the Republican insurance commissioner primary, which was held on May 24, with 71% of the votes cast.

Patrick Witt, the closest challenger, won 17% of the votes.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, R, appointed King to replace Jim Beck, the previous commissioner, in 2019, after Beck resigned.

King is a U.S. military officer who was called up to help build field hospitals early in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Robinson has worked in sales with Liberty Mutual, MetLife, State Farm and Nationwide. She now is the managing partner at J. Laws & Associates, an independent agency that sells life insurance, annuities, health insurance, and property and casualty insurance.

Ricardo Lara (Photo: California Department of Insurance)