In Commissioner Elections Dems, GOP Split

By Daniel Hays

NU Online News Service, Nov. 6, 11:45 a.m.EST?Incumbents proved popular with voters in the fourstates holding elections for insurance commissioner.

The two commissioners who sought reelection, Georgia's JohnOxendine and Oklahoma's Carroll Fisher, won easily. In California,where the post was up for grabs, John Garamendi, who had formerlyheld the regulator's post, was elected. Sandy Praeger won in Kansaswhere there was no incumbent.

According to data supplied by the Alliance of American Insurersin Downers Grove, Ill., with 98 percent of the Georgia votecounted, Mr. Oxendine, a Republican had 64 percent; Democrat LoisCohen had 33 percent of the vote and Libertarian Helmut Forren 3percent.

In Oklahoma, with 99 percent of the vote counted, DemocratFisher had 58 percent of the vote, defeating Republican Doug Barrywho had 42 percent.

In California with 99 percent of the vote counted Mr. Garamendi,a Democrat, had 47 percent; Gary Mendoza, 42 percent and DavidSheidlower of the Green Party 4 percent .

Kansas, with 99 percent of the vote in, saw Sandy Praeger aRepublican with 57 percent defeating Democrat Jim Garner who had 43pct.

The Kansas position was vacated by Democrat Kathleen Sibeliuswho left her post to wage a successful campaign to be Kansasgovernor. Ms. Sibelius is one of several commissioners who inrecent years have used the post as a stepping stone for otherelected office.

Among them are U.S. Rep. Earl Pomeroy of North Dakota, U.S. Sen.Bill Nelson of Florida and U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska.

The California post had no incumbent because Republican ChuckQuackenbush had resigned under a cloud for his supervision ofinsurers handling of earthquake claims. His appointed replacementHarry Low chose not to run.