Seven candidates are running in the top-two primary for California insurance commissioner on November 3, 2026. Five have led in media attention: Ben Allen (D), Steven Bradford (D), Jane Kim (D), Stacy Korsgaden (R), and Patrick Wolff (D). Incumbent Ricardo Lara (D) is term-limited and is retiring from public office.
The Sacramento Bee's Stephen Hobbs wrote, "The race for California governor is going to get most of the attention. But the campaign to become the state’s next insurance commissioner might be almost as consequential."
Wildfires across the state have affected insurance policies in recent years. CalMatters' Levi Sumagaysay wrote that wildfires "were a factor in insurance companies canceling homeowner policies or refusing to write new ones ... Many survivors of last year’s Los Angeles County fires are struggling to rebuild; they have sued insurance companies ... Many homeowners are continuing to turn to the last-resort FAIR Plan, which has seen a 146% increase in the number of policies since 2022." Additionally, some insurers have been accused by lawmakers of intentionally denying or delaying action on claims.
Allen has served as a state Senator since 2014. He says as commissioner, he would "demand transparency in rate filings, push back on increases that aren’t supported by the facts, and ensure insurers properly account for risk-reduction efforts." Allen says he wants to implement more fire mitigation measures and will "push for neighborhood-scale fire prevention and risk reduction programs that lower losses across entire communities and make it possible for insurers to responsibly write policies again." Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) has endorsed Allen.
Bradford served in the state Senate from 2016 to 2024. He says that as commissioner, he would improve efficiency by "reviewing rate filings by increasing the rate review team, eliminating non-productive administrative hurdles ... and concentrating on eliminating the uncertainty and friction [in the current process.]" Bradford also says he wants to offer residents premium reductions to make their homes more resilient to disasters. His website says, "I’ll make sure that when families take action to reduce their risk ... they get real, guaranteed premium discounts." Former Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins (D) has endorsed Bradford.
Kim is a former San Francisco supervisor. She says she supports a state-run insurance plan called Disaster Insurance for All. Kim's website says the plan "would address climate disaster instead of avoiding it. The private insurance business model is to avoid losses, not to reduce risk ... A public insurer would invest in prevention and resiliency, and the public would benefit with fewer claims to pay out." Kim supports capping insurance executive pay, and says, "We can do a far better job reining in profiteering and price gouging, and it is essential to restoring trust and affordability." Kim is also affiliated with the Working Families Party, and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has endorsed her.
Korsgaden is an insurance agent. Her website says she wants to bring new insurers into the state to lower premiums and says she supports "innovation and encouraging capital investments so insurers can offer a variety of products." Korsgaden also says the current number of regulations insurance companies face should be reduced: "As insurers are once again able to grow and write policies in California, coverage will shift back where it belongs, into the private market, restoring balance and choice for our community." State Senate minority leader Brian Jones (R) has endorsed Korsgaden.
Wolff is a financial analyst. In his response to Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, Wolff said he wanted to increase transparency and would create a system "that grade[s] insurance companies on how they handle claims ... and he will require those grades to be shown to consumers before they buy a policy." Wolff also said he wanted to create incentives for insurers to stay in high risk areas, which he said "means allowing them to use to predict risk using models that take climate change into account as a reality ... it means allowing them to factor in the cost of reinsurance ... and it means streamlining the rate filing review process so that insurance companies can get all normal rate filings [reviewed quicker]" Ballotpedia has not been able to identify any endorsements for Wolff.
Robert Howell (R) and Eduardo Vargas (Peace and Freedom Party) are also running.
A Democrat has held the position since 2011. Since the position became elected in 1990, all but one election have had a Democrat and a Republican candidate competing in the November general election.