Democratic progressive Jane Kim wins race for California insurance commissioner

Progressive Democrat Jane Kim will be the new California Insurance Commissioner. The Associated Press called the race on Saturday night in favor of the civil-rights attorney and former member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. As of Monday afternoon, Kim had received 53% of the vote, while her opponent, Sen. Ben Allen, had 46%.

Kim will take over Ricardo Lara’s position, who served for seven years and is out due to term limits. She will lead the California Department of Insurance, “the consumer protection agency for the nation's largest insurance marketplace which safeguards all of the state’s consumers by fairly regulating the insurance industry.”

Kim believes the insurance commissioner should work for Californians to lower prices, not for the industry to increase profits. 

On Friday afternoon, she held a press conference announcing her victory. On her social media accounts, she thanked voters for their support and highlighted that she ran against political establishment and millions of dollars and won.

“We won for hardworking Californians and our families who believe in the state and call California their home, and yet are getting fleeced when we're just trying to get by,” she said. “This victory doesn't belong to me. It belongs to us, to Californians who don't let political labels define us or divide us.”

As a civil rights attorney and consumer advocate, she said she was committed to fixing a broken system. As the San Francisco Supervisor, she won universal tuition-free community college, California’s first $15 minimum wage and record amounts of affordable housing.

She said the work starts immediately and her victory is proof that when ordinary people organize together they can accomplish great things.

In a social media post, Sen. Bernie Sanders congratulated her, stating, “At a time when insurance companies are ranking in record profits while working families struggle to afford coverage, Jane will stand up to powerful corporate interests.”

Kim believes the Golden State must have an insurance commissioner who serves as a “watchdog,” not a “lapdog" for corporations. She is also focused on fighting for guaranteed healthcare for every California child. 

“Right now, insurance companies raise our rates, cancel our coverage and deny our claims while they rake in record profits — using our money,” she said when she was running her campaign. “I’ll hold them accountable to make insurance more affordable and available and make sure our money works for us. I’ll make claims fast and fair, cap excessive profits and crack down on illegal price-fixing. I’ll ensure our premiums are invested into making our communities safer through a public Disaster Insurance for All program.”