During his first months as the state’s elected insurance commissioner, Ricardo Lara was rocked by disclosures that he had accepted more than $50,000 in campaign contributions from insurance industry sources after pledging to shun such dealings during his campaign. It was not exactly a scandal, since there’s nothing illegal about...
CA Insurance Commissioner 'Sorry' for Taking Industry Donations
SACRAMENTO — California's insurance commissioner apologized Tuesday for accepting campaign contributions from the insurance industry and announced reforms for his office and campaign. Democrat Ricardo Lara had promised during his campaign not to accept contributions from the industry he is responsible for regulating. But he has taken at least $50,000...
Lara Becomes State Insurance Czar in History Making Election
SACRAMENTO — Democratic state Sen. Ricardo Lara has defeated Republican-turned-independent Steve Poizner to become the state's next insurance commissioner, according to new vote totals. Vote counts updated since Election Day made Lara the winner with nearly 4.9 million votes, or 51.6 percent. Lara Is First Openly Gay Statewide Officeholder Lara...
Insurance Candidate Says He's a "Triple Threat" to President Trump
Los Angeles physician Dr. Asif Mahmood believes that "Medicare for all" is the best solution for providing Americans with a national healthcare system. He believes he can advance the concept on the state level as California's insurance commissioner. Mahmood, a Democrat, is seeking to succeed Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, who terms out...