2026 California Insurance Commissioner election
November 3, 2026
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The 2026 California Insurance Commissioner election will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect the Insurance Commissioner of California. Under California's nonpartisan blanket primary law, all candidates appear on the same ballot and the top two finishers, regardless of party, will advance to the general election in November, even if a candidate managed to receive a majority of the votes cast in the primary election. Incumbent Democratic Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is term-limited and ineligible to run for re-election to a third term.
The role was previously seen as largely ceremonial in nature, however wildfires in 2017, 2018, and 2025 have increased the position's importance and scrutiny.[1]
Candidates
Democratic Party
Declared
- Ben Allen, state senator from the 24th district (2014–present)[2]
- Steven Bradford, former state senator from the 35th district (2016–2024)[3] (previously ran for lieutenant governor)[4]
- Patrick Wolff, financial analyst[2]
Formed exploratory committee
- Jane Kim, executive director of the California Working Families Party, former San Francisco supervisor from the 6th district (2011–2019), runner-up for California's 11th senate district in 2016, and candidate for mayor of San Francisco in 2018[5]
Declined
- Mike McGuire, President pro tempore of the California State Senate (2024–present) from the 2nd district (2014–present) (running for U.S. House, endorsed Allen)[6][7]
Republican Party
Declared
- Stacy Korsgaden, insurance agent[8]
Peace and Freedom Party
Declared
- Eduardo "Lalo" Vargas, high school teacher and candidate for Los Angeles's 14th City Council district in 2024[9]
Primary election
Endorsements
Ben Allen (D)
- U.S. senators
- Nanette Barragán, CA-44 (2017–present)[10]
- Julia Brownley, CA-26 (2013–present)[10]
- Laura Friedman, CA-30 (2025–present)[10]
- Adam Schiff, California (2024–present)[2]
- George Whitesides, CA-27 (2025–present)[10]
- State legislators
- Jesse Gabriel, AD-46 (2018–present)[10]
- Lena Gonzalez, California Senate Majority Leader (2024–present) from SD-33 (2019–present)[10]
- Monique Limón, SD-21 (2020–present)[2]
- Mike McGuire, SD-02 (2014–present)[2]
- Robert Rivas, speaker of the California State Assembly (2023–present) from the 29th district (2018–present)[2]
- Tom Umberg, SD-34 (2018–present)[10]
- Organizations
Steven Bradford (D)
- Statewide officials
- Fiona Ma, state treasurer of California (2019–present)[13]
- Labor unions
- California State Building and Construction Trades Council[14]
- International Brotherhood of Teamsters California[15]
Polling
Hypothetical polling
See also
Notes
- ^ Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear
References
- ^ Hoeven, Emily (January 19, 2025). "It's one of the most important jobs in California. No one seems to want it". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f Jones, Blake (September 16, 2025). "Ben Allen launches bid for California insurance commissioner". Politico. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (May 29, 2025). "SCOOP: McGuire plans to stay until 2026". Politico. Retrieved May 29, 2025.
- ^ Korte, Lara (April 15, 2024). "State Sen. Steven Bradford launches 2026 campaign for California lieutenant governor". Politico.
- ^ Jones, Blake; Gardiner, Dustin (2025-12-16). "GOP backlash to Trump's Reiner comments". Politico. Retrieved 2025-12-16.
- ^ Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake; Mason, Melanie (September 16, 2025). "Why the 'Governator' could derail Prop 50". Politico. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
- ^ Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (November 13, 2025). "Gavin Newsom's bad news day". Politico. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
- ^ Lynch, Joan (August 5, 2025). "Former SLO County supervisor candidate announces run for statewide office". San Luis Obispo Tribune. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ Hoeven, Emily (August 28, 2025). "California socialist pledges to 'save our planet from capitalism.' Can he win this statewide race?". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (December 17, 2025). "Meet the crypto billionaire hedging his bets for governor". Politico. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
- ^ "2026 EnviroVoters Endorsement List". California Environmental Voters. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
- ^ "East Area Progressive Democrats: Endorsements". East Area Progressive Democrats. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
- ^ Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (June 9, 2025). "Major escalations in LA as Newsom, Trump fight over Guard troops". Politico. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
- ^ Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (December 15, 2025). "California Democrats have a big math problem". Politico. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
- ^ Teamsters California [@teamsterscalifornia] (September 13, 2025). "We are proud to endorse Steven Bradford for California Insurance Commissioner". Retrieved September 19, 2025 – via Instagram.
- ^ "California OmnibusInsurance Commissioner". Probolsky Research. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
External links
Official campaign websites