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 four states holding elections for insurance commissioner.

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

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

In Oklahoma, with 99 percent of the vote counted, Democrat Fisher had 58 percent of the vote, defeating Republican Doug Barry who had 42 percent.

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

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

The Kansas position was vacated by Democrat Kathleen Sibelius who left her post to wage a successful campaign to be Kansas governor. Ms. Sibelius is one of several commissioners who in recent years have used the post as a stepping stone for other elected 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 Chuck Quackenbush had resigned under a cloud for his supervision of insurers handling of earthquake claims. His appointed replacement Harry Low chose not to run.

Special Reports /

In Commissioner Elections Dems, GOP Split

Related Stories

Recommended For You