2026 California Insurance Commissioner election

2026 California Insurance Commissioner election
November 3, 2026
Incumbent Insurance Commissioner

Ricardo Lara
Democratic



The 2026 California Insurance Commissioner election will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect the Insurance Commissioner of California. Under California's nonpartisan blanket primary law, all candidates appear on the same ballot and the top two finishers, regardless of party, will advance to the general election in November, even if a candidate manages to receive a majority of the votes cast in the primary election. Incumbent Democratic Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is term-limited and ineligible to run for re-election to a third term.

The role was previously seen as largely ceremonial in nature, however wildfires in 2017, 2018, and 2025 have increased the position's importance and scrutiny.[1]

Candidates

Democratic Party

Declared

Declined

Republican Party

Declared

  • Merritt Farren, attorney[9]
  • Robert Howell, runner-up for Insurance Commissioner in 2022[10]
  • Stacy Korsgaden, insurance agent[11]
  • Sean Lee, finance executive[12]

Peace and Freedom Party

Declared

Primary election

Endorsements

Ben Allen (D)
U.S. senators
U.S. representatives
Statewide officials
State legislators
Organizations
Steven Bradford (D)
U.S. representatives
Statewide officials
Labor unions
Jane Kim (D)
U.S. senators
Labor unions
Organizations

Polling

Hypothetical polling
Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size[a] 		Margin
of error 		Ben
Allen (D) 		Steven
Bradford (D) 		Robert
Howell (R) 		Eduardo
Vargas (PF) 		Patrick
Wolff (D) 		Undecided
Probolsky Research/Allen internal[23] September 6–11, 2025 1000 (RV) ± 3.3% 10% 5% 22% 5% 5% 52%

Results

Primary election results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Khaled Adham
Democratic Ben Allen
Democratic Steven Bradford
Republican Merritt Farren
Republican Robert Howell
Democratic Jane Kim
Republican Stacy Korsgaden
Republican Sean Lee
Peace and Freedom Eduardo "Lalo" Vargas
Democratic Patrick Wolff
Total votes 100.0%

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear

References

  1. ^ Hoeven, Emily (January 19, 2025). "It's one of the most important jobs in California. No one seems to want it". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  2. ^ "State Voter Information Guide Statement - Khaled Adham" (PDF). California Secretary of State.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Jones, Blake (September 16, 2025). "Ben Allen launches bid for California insurance commissioner". Politico. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  4. ^ Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (May 29, 2025). "SCOOP: McGuire plans to stay until 2026". Politico. Retrieved May 29, 2025.
  5. ^ Korte, Lara (April 15, 2024). "State Sen. Steven Bradford launches 2026 campaign for California lieutenant governor". Politico.
  6. ^ a b c Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (January 21, 2026). "Newsom takes his Trump-bashing to the Swiss Alps". Politico. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
  7. ^ Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake; Mason, Melanie (September 16, 2025). "Why the 'Governator' could derail Prop 50". Politico. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
  8. ^ Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (November 13, 2025). "Gavin Newsom's bad news day". Politico. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  9. ^ Pascoe, Sue (March 4, 2026). "Running for Insurance Commissioner, Merritt Farren Knows the Game". Circling The News. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  10. ^ "Who's running for California Insurance Commissioner? Here's a look at the field of candidates". CalMatters. February 17, 2026. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  11. ^ Lynch, Joan (August 5, 2025). "Former SLO County supervisor candidate announces run for statewide office". San Luis Obispo Tribune. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  12. ^ "State Voter Information Guide Statement - Sean Lee" (PDF). California Secretary of State.
  13. ^ Hoeven, Emily (August 28, 2025). "California socialist pledges to 'save our planet from capitalism.' Can he win this statewide race?". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (December 17, 2025). "Meet the crypto billionaire hedging his bets for governor". Politico. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  15. ^ Jones, Blake; Gardiner, Dustin; Mason, Melanie (February 19, 2026). "Newsom's multi-tasking book tour". Politico. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  16. ^ "2026 EnviroVoters Endorsement List". California Environmental Voters. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
  17. ^ Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (January 26, 2026). "Another killing in Minneapolis sharpens SF DA's warning". Politico. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  18. ^ Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (June 9, 2025). "Major escalations in LA as Newsom, Trump fight over Guard troops". Politico. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  19. ^ Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake; He, Eric (February 10, 2026). "Teachers strike grips San Francisco". Politico. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  20. ^ Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (December 15, 2025). "California Democrats have a big math problem". Politico. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  21. ^ Teamsters California [@teamsterscalifornia] (September 13, 2025). "We are proud to endorse Steven Bradford for California Insurance Commissioner". Retrieved September 19, 2025 – via Instagram.
  22. ^ a b c d Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (January 27, 2026). "Republicans navigate Alex Pretti's killing". Politico. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
  23. ^ "California OmnibusInsurance Commissioner". Probolsky Research. Retrieved September 18, 2025.

Official campaign websites

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