Published: Jun 4, 2026
State Senator Ben Allen was running second to Jane Kim in a pivotal three-way battle that will determine who controls California's auto and home insurance rates for years to come.
With 54% of expected votes counted, NBC Los Angeles reports that Democratic former San Francisco City Supervisor Jane Kim held the lead with 23.65%, trailed closely by two other candidates in the California insurance commissioner race. According to NBC Los Angeles, two Democrats and one Republican appear to be pulling away from a much larger field, though ballot counting continues and no winner has been declared.
Three candidates emerge from a crowded primary field
Jane Kim leads a field of more than ten candidates with 23.65% of the vote. Democratic state Senator Ben Allen sits in second at 19.19%, and Republican insurance agent Stacy Korsgaden holds third place at 17.53%. Every other candidate in the race is currently below 10%, including Robert Howell, Merritt Farren, Patrick Wolff, Sean Lee, Steven Bradford, Eduardo Vargas, Eric Aarnio, and Keith Davis.
That gap between the top three and the rest of the field is significant. It signals that, barring a dramatic shift as remaining ballots are counted, the general election is likely to feature Kim and one other candidate facing off for the seat.
What the insurance commissioner actually does
The California Department of Insurance, overseen by the commissioner, carries enormous power over your wallet.
The office approves rates on homeowner, auto, and business coverage. That means every time an insurer wants to raise your car insurance premium or adjust your home policy price in California, the commissioner's office must sign off. Health insurance is the one major carve-out, that falls under a separate regulatory structure.
The department also handles insurance regulation and licensing statewide, giving the commissioner broad authority over which companies can operate in California and under what terms. For California drivers already navigating some of the most complex auto insurance rules in the country, the next commissioner's decisions will carry real, immediate consequences.
Meet the front-runners: Kim, Allen, and Korsgaden
Jane Kim is a former San Francisco City Supervisor now leading the primary with 23.65% of the vote. Her urban policy background and ties to one of California's most insurance-stressed housing markets make her a notable frontrunner.
Ben Allen is a Democratic state senator from Santa Monica whose district includes the Pacific Palisades, a community that has been directly affected by California's homeowner insurance crisis. He is currently sitting at 19.19%.
Stacy Korsgaden is the sole Republican in the top tier and works as an insurance agent. She holds 17.53% of the vote. Her industry background sets her apart from the two Democratic candidates and gives her a distinct pitch to voters frustrated with how the current regulatory environment has pushed insurers out of the state.
"The new state insurance commissioner will inherit a state in crisis." , NBC Los Angeles
How the candidates' vote shares stack up
With 54% of the expected vote counted, here is where each major candidate stands:
| Jane Kim | Democrat | 23.65% |
| Ben Allen | Democrat | 19.19% |
| Stacy Korsgaden | Republican | 17.53% |
| Robert Howell | , | Under 10% |
| Merritt Farren | , | Under 10% |
| Patrick Wolff | , | Under 10% |
| Sean Lee | , | Under 10% |
| Steven Bradford | , | Under 10% |
| Eduardo Vargas | , | Under 10% |
| Eric Aarnio | , | Under 10% |
| Keith Davis | , | Under 10% |
The spread between Kim and Korsgaden is roughly six percentage points. In California's top-two primary system, the two highest vote-getters advance to the general election regardless of party, which means a Kim-Korsgaden or Kim-Allen matchup is possible depending on how the remaining ballots land.
The insurance crisis the next commissioner will inherit
Whoever wins will not be stepping into a quiet office.
"Hundreds of thousands of Californians have lost their home insurance, and millions more have seen their premiums rise." , NBC Los Angeles
California's outgoing commissioner, Ricardo Lara, has reached his term limit, leaving the seat at a moment of acute market stress. Major insurers have scaled back or exited the state entirely, leaving policyholders scrambling for coverage. The damage has not been limited to homeowners, auto insurance availability and pricing have also been affected by the broader regulatory and climate-driven instability in the California market.
The Save Max Quote Index tracks quote behavior across millions of consumers, and the SMQI, drawn from 3.3 million+ real quote requests, consistently shows that California shoppers face a narrower set of competitive offers than drivers in neighboring states like Oregon or Nevada, reflecting how insurer pullbacks ripple through to everyday consumers.
What this means for you
If you live in California, the outcome of this race will directly influence what you pay for auto and home coverage. The next commissioner will decide whether rate increase requests from insurers get approved, denied, or modified. Start comparing your current policy against available alternatives now, before any post-election regulatory shifts take hold. Use rate comparison tools to benchmark your California auto insurance costs and identify whether you are overpaying under the current market conditions.
FAQ
Who is currently leading the California insurance commissioner race?
Former San Francisco City Supervisor Jane Kim leads the primary with 23.65% of the vote, according to results with 54% of expected ballots counted. State Senator Ben Allen is in second place at 19.19%, and insurance agent Stacy Korsgaden holds third at 17.53%.
What powers does the California insurance commissioner have over auto insurance?
The commissioner oversees the California Department of Insurance, which approves rate changes on auto, homeowner, and business coverage. Every insurer seeking to raise or change your auto premium in California must get approval from this office, making the role directly relevant to what you pay each month.
Who is the current California insurance commissioner and why is there a new race?
Ricardo Lara is the current California insurance commissioner. He has reached his term limit, which is why the seat is open and a new commissioner must be elected through the 2026 primary and general election cycle.
Will the top-two primary determine who faces off in the general election?
Yes. California uses a top-two primary system, meaning the two candidates with the highest vote shares advance to the general election regardless of party affiliation. Based on current results, Jane Kim is virtually certain to advance, with Ben Allen and Stacy Korsgaden competing closely for the second slot.
How does the commissioner's role affect homeowners who lost coverage?
The commissioner's office regulates which insurers can operate in California and under what terms. The crisis that has left hundreds of thousands of Californians without home insurance is directly tied to the regulatory environment the next commissioner will be responsible for reforming or maintaining.
About Taleah McGuire
Taleah McGuire is a Regional Analyst at SaveMaxAuto with 11+ years of insurance experience including senior roles at Kentucky Farm Bureau. She covers regulatory news, state-specific reform legislation, and traditional carrier coverage. Read more from Taleah McGuire →
Edited by Brooke Grissom.
Methodology
This article is grounded in the source linked above. SaveMaxAuto data points referenced here are drawn from the Save Max Quote Index (SMQI), a proprietary instrument reflecting 3,364,317 real consumer quote requests submitted to savemaxauto.com. State and carrier rankings reflect the lifetime dataset; year-over-year shifts reflect a rolling 12-month window. The index is refreshed monthly. External authority figures referenced (NAIC, NHTSA, state regulators) reflect the most recent public data releases available at time of writing.
Sources
- Primary source: NBC Los Angeles, "Who will be California's next insurance commissioner? See primary race results"