More than a dozen candidates have filed statements of intention to run for California insurance commissioner in the November 2026 election. The field includes current and former state legislators, insurance professionals, and a public school teacher.
The candidates are seeking to replace incumbent Ricardo Lara, who is departing due to term limits. Lara, a Democrat first elected in 2018 and reelected in 2022, has filed his intention to run for lieutenant governor but has not formally launched that campaign.
State Sen. Ben Allen, a Democrat representing District 24, has cited the increasing severity of natural disasters as a reason for seeking the position. His platform includes balancing consumer protections with insurer sustainability, improving carriers' post-disaster responses, and reducing enrollment in the state's Fair Plan.
Former state Sen. Steven Bradford, who previously chaired the Senate committees on insurance, banking, and financial services, said in a campaign statement that "California's insurance market stands at a crossroads as climate-driven risks are demanding the market evolve through sustainable reforms to restore stability, expand access and reward mitigation work."
Republican candidate Stacy Korsgaden brings more than 30 years of experience as an insurance professional in the San Luis Obispo area. Her platform includes leveraging competition to reduce insurance costs and shortening rate approval timelines to the 60-day national average.
Eduardo "Lalo" Vargas, running under the Peace and Freedom Party, is campaigning on a platform that includes abolishing insurance companies, ensuring free health care, and halting rate increases. Vargas has worked as a teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District and assisted in response efforts during the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires.
Patrick Wolff, a Democrat with more than 20 years of experience as a financial analyst reviewing insurance companies, said he undertook extensive study of the industry before launching his campaign. His priorities include increasing choice and competition, reducing Fair Plan reliance, and mandating smoke damage protection for home insurance policies.
Filing a statement of intention is required before a campaign can raise funds but does not guarantee a candidate will appear on the ballot, according to Cal-Access, the state's political spending and lobbying platform.
Elsewhere, Lara's tenure has drawn scrutiny from the state's ethics watchdog, which is reviewing allegations that taxpayer dollars funded dozens of international trips.
Recent disclosures indicated that costs were higher than initially reported once security expenses were included, with some trips multiplying fivefold due to private security contracts and upgraded accommodations.
Lara's office has defended the trips as part of California's role in leading global insurance policy discussions on issues such as climate risk and health coverage equity.
