Ohio's governor said the state will get its first openly gay insurance director with the appointment of Mary Jo Hudson.

In addition to Ms. Hudson, governors in Idaho and Missouri named chief insurance regulators for their states this week.

Ms. Hudson is believed to be the first openly gay person to join the top rank of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners leadership.

Ms. Hudson was appointed by newly elected Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland. She is a Columbus City Council member who served from 1989 to 1996, as a deputy liquidator and special services attorney for the Ohio Department of Insurance and Office of the Ohio Insurance Liquidator.

Missouri Republican Gov. Matt Blunt announced that Doug Ommen will serve as director of the Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration, replacing Dale Finke, who recently retired.

Mr. Ommen is currently deputy director for the department and general counsel, and will move up officially after Senate confirmation.

In Idaho, Republican Gov. Butch Otter named Rep. Bill Deal, R-Nampa, as the new insurance commissioner.

Mr. Deal is a past president of the Idaho Independent Insurance Agents Association and owns and operates an agency in Nampa.

Special Reports /

Ohio Gets First Openly Gay Insurance Director

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