Steven Craig BradfordSteven Craig Bradford

Steve Bradford is running for California Insurance Commissioner to restore stability, fairness, and affordability to California’s insurance marketplace. A former State Senator and public servant, Bradford brings decades of experience in government and policymaking to this critical role, including service on the State Legislature’s Insurance Committee where he helped build consensus on complex regulatory challenges. Bradford believes no Californian should face financial devastation after a manmade or natural disaster, and will work collaboratively with insurers, regulators, local governments, and consumers to stabilize markets, make insurance more affordable, and stop insurers from dropping Californians from being covered. Steve’s plan includes bringing transparency to insurance pricing, rewarding people who protect their homes, rebuilding the insurance market in high risk areas, and making rates make sense. Bradford will support safer moves for the most at-risk, modernize the Department of Insurance, and put equity front and center. Throughout his career, Bradford has fought for working families, equitable access to healthcare, economic opportunity, and consumer protection. He’s authored legislation to expand healthcare access, promote financial literacy, and protect communities statewide, and has a proven record of lifting up underserved Californians. That’s why Bradford is endorsed by grassroots Democrats, Teamsters, construction workers, and leaders like Secretary of State Shirley Weber, State Treasurer Fiona Ma, Congressman Adam Gray, Former State Senate President Toni Atkins—because they recognize his leadership, integrity, and relentless advocacy for accountability and an insurance market that works. By June 2nd, Vote Steve Bradford for Insurance Commissioner. Learn more at www.bradfordforcalifornia.com

Bradford proposes establishing a public-private partnership to share risk with insurers and keep them operating in California. He would connect insurance to land use and planning decisions, and support a voluntary program encouraging relocation from high-risk zones.

Key endorsements: Teamsters California, State Building and Construction Trades Council of California, California Correctional Peace Officers Association.

Insurance Commissioner is a tough job. Voters want less expensive, available insurance. Insurance companies need to cover their payouts, plus a reasonable profit--and climate-change fueled wildfires in a very expensive construction State result in expensive claims. The Commissioner can reject rate increases, but insurance companies can leave CA, forcing consumers on the State's FAIR plan. So, it's a balance. All candidates logically think better fire mitigation would reduce claims and thus rates, but the Insurance Commissioner is mainly a cheerleader for the Legislature and other agencies on that point.

On the whole, Bradford seems to have the most experience (CA Assembly Insurance Committee), the most detailed plans, and understanding of the balance required. https://capitolweekly.net/meet-the-insurance-commissioner-candidates-steven-bradfor/. Careful review of rate increase requests based on facts, deregulating commercial policies as their policyholders can manage risk, issuing bonds to backstop the FAIR plan while seeking to create a more competitive marketplace, and more transparency on climate risk pricing.

Kim wants the government to run a "Disaster Insurance for All" program and a public option for auto insurance. I prefer a regulated private market. Wolff (Dem), Howell (GOP), Farren (GOP), Korsgaden (GOP) and Lee (GOP) lack relevant experience or tout gimmicks: Lee (AI to find fraud); Korsgaden (environmental regulation causes catastrophes, need fuels reduction, i.e., cut down forests); Farren (encourage new insurance products, i.e., less coverage). Ben Allen (Dem), CA State Senator, is likely OK, but is driven by Palisades Fire destroying his home and lacks detailed plans other than using the Insurance Comm office to push wildfire mitigation.

My vote is for Bradford.

VIG listing; Occupation: Education Organization Boardmember