According to various news outlets reports, Gary Anderson was recently elected as the Democratic candidate for the position of Mississippi Department of Insurance commissioner, unseating long-time Democratic incumbent George Dale.

That means Anderson effectively ends Dale's 32-year run as insurance commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Insurance. The upcoming change in leadership likely is due to a public perception that Dale was an ineffective leader who was viewed as being influenced by insurance companies. After Hurricane Katrina devastated much of the Mississippi coastline, Democrat voters voiced their displeasure by casting for Anderson.

In a release just days before the election, Anderson said, "For too long the fox has been guarding the hen house, as it relates to insurance companies and insurance rates in Mississippi. We cannot let this stand and that's why I signed a pledge not to take a single dime from insurance companies. I will be independent of political influence and I will be able to fight for families, who insurance rate increases hurt the most."

On paper, Anderson seems like a good fit for the position. His web site says that has worked as a senior vice president in the private banking sector, and previously served as Mississippi's chief fiscal officer where he helped cut over $200 million in government waste.

Anderson will square off against Republican nominee State Senator Mike Chaney in the final election.

Special Reports /

Dale Ousted from Mississippi Dept. of Insurance

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