Insurance commissioner spots were up for grabs in five states on Election Day last week, with at least three going to Democrats, while voters also decided the fate of many state legislators who play key roles in shaping insurance policy.

As for the commissioner elections:

o In Delaware, Democrat Karen Weldin beat Republican John Brady with 57.5 percent of the vote.

o North Carolina went to Democrat Wayne Goodwin, who garnered 51.5 percent of the vote against Republican John Odom's 44.63 percent, with Libertarian Mark McMains getting 3.79 percent.

Mr. Goodwin will succeed Jim Long, the longest-standing commissioner at this time with a career that spanned 23 years. Mr. Long chose not to run for a seventh term.

o In Washington State, incumbent Democrat Mike Kreidler won handily with 60.98 percent of the vote against Republican John Adams.

o North Dakota's squeaker, between Republican incumbent Adam Hamm and Jasper Schneider, a Democrat, went to Mr. Hamm with 50.3 percent of the vote, compared with Mr. Schneider's 49.7 percent. Initially Mr. Schneider indicated he would seek a recount, but a spokesperson for Friends of Schneider said a decision had been made not to take such action.

o Montana's face-off between Duane Grimes, Republican, and Monica Lindeen, Democrat, to replace State Auditor John Morrison, leaving office because of term limits, resulted in a win for Ms. Lindeen. She received 53 percent of the vote, compared to Mr. Grimes' 47 percent.

Meanwhile, 11 governors' seats were available last week–including six where the governor appoints the insurance commissioner, only one of which ended with a change in parties:

o Indiana was won by Mitch Daniels, the Republican incumbent, with 61.7 percent of the vote.

o Missouri was won by Democrat Jay Nixon with 58.4 percent of the vote, who will replace Republican Gov. Matt Blunt, who did not seek a second term.

o New Hampshire was won by Democratic incumbent John Lynch with 70 percent of the vote.

o Utah went to Republican incumbent Jon Huntsman, who won in a landslide with 78 percent of the vote.

o Vermont was won by Republican incumbent Jim Douglas with 54 percent of the total.

o West Virginia went to Democratic incumbent Joe Manchin with 70 percent of the vote.

Several members of the leadership team at the National Conference of Insurance Legislators were also up for re-election:

o NCOIL's current president, State Rep. Brian Kennedy, D-R.I., defeated Republican Nancy Richmond. Mr. Kennedy won 72.1 percent of the vote, while Ms. Richmond received 27.9 percent.

o NCOIL's president-elect, New York State Senator James Seward, a Republican, defeated Democratic hopeful Don Barber. Mr. Seward received 68 percent of the vote, compared with Mr. Barber's 32 percent.

Special Reports /

State Insurance Regulators, Legislators Face The Voters

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