Please tell us what we can do to improve this article. If elected, he said, he’d like to occupy the office for about 60% of the time, and invite Kreidler and Welti each to run it for 20% of the time. Democrat Mike Kreidler, who has held the post since 2001, faces Libertarian Anthony Welti, who is so serious about the race he quit his job to become a full-time candidate, and … He describes the Affordable Care Act as a Hamiltonian federalist action and wants to start a Jeffersonian counterbalance to stabilize it. Mass. He was leading Democratic Kathleen Williams with 44% of the vote with 454 of 663 precincts fully reporting. Because of the restrictions for the COVID-19 pandemic, campaigning is different than any of his previous runs for the seat, or for any other elected office he’s held, Kreidler said. So far this year, Welti, with more than $74,000 in contributions, has raised more than Kreidler, who lists about $30,000 between new contributions and money left over from his last campaign. We have updated our privacy policy to be more clear and meet the new requirements of the GDPR. He promised to streamline the auto insurance approval process, which he said is “shrouded in bureaucratic red tape and cronyism, strangling innovation and stifling those brave enough to try to change the system.”. In Western states of California, Oregon, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, and Alaska, there are no races because either the commissioner in those states is appointed or the incumbent isn’t up for reelection. Kreidler marks milestones, Patel has roadblocks in run for Washington insurance commissioner “I don’t see them as my opponents. Thank you! Kreidler in September announced he has begun a study to determine how many organizations in Washington are not paying insurance premium tax as required under state law. Proposition 22, known as “Exempts App-Based Transportation and Delivery Companies from Providing Employee Benefits to Certain Drivers,” amends a law created by Assembly Bill 5, a 2019 statute that expands a landmark Supreme Court of California case, Dynamex Operations West, Inc. v. Superior Court. Insurance Commissioner Candidate Political Party Popular Vote; Mike Kreidler: Democratic: 2,506,693: 65.39%: Chirayu Avinash Patel: Republican: 1,308,292: 34.13% Marcus Riccelli … 8,824. Here are the top vote-getters in Washington state's 2020 primary election, as of 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, likely to proceed to the November general … Chirayu Avinash Patel (Prefers Republican Party) Mike Kreidler (Prefers Democratic Party) Back to top. COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE (Click on "+" icon to get more information) The role: The commissioner of insurance handles licensing and regulation for insurance businesses in Washington or those that operate in the state. District 16 senator: Danielle Garbe Reser (D) vs. Perry Dozier (R) Kreidler, who’s seeking a sixth term in office, had 67% of the vote and Patel had 32% of the vote. Welti said that while buying plans from all 50 states might be a problem, the state should consider allowing cross-state insurance purchases among Northwest states because people move frequently among Washington, Oregon and Idaho for jobs. 37.95%. “I think we need to start educating high school and college students about insurance,” he added. Thank you! Gifts processed in this system are not tax deductible, but are predominately used to help meet the local financial requirements needed to receive national matching-grant funds. Court on Ministerial Exception for Professor, ‘Desperate’ Times in Florida Property Insurance, prohibit insurers from including information from consumer credit histories, determine how many organizations in Washington, what has become the most expensive ballot campaign in state history, Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler, Washington Commissioner Winning Sixth Term, Prop. Leaning Call: Myron "Mike" Kreidler (100.00%) Weighted Call: 0 (0.00%) CANDIDATES (2 Winners) Photo : Name (I) Commissioner of Insurance Myron "Mike" Kreidler: Chirayu Avinash Patel: Anthony Welti (W) Write-In : Party: Democratic: Republican: Libertarian: Nonpartisan : Campaign Logo : Certified Votes: 1,402,650 (59.03%) 644,446 (27.12%) of Health and Human Services, Political experience: North Thurston School Board, state representative, state senator, U.S. Representative, 1 term; first elected insurance commissioner in 2000, Born in India, moved to U.S. in 1999, lives in Tacoma, Education: Kentwood High School, Covington; Studying biochemistry at University of Washington, Political experience: First run for office. Mike Kreidler. Voters also overwhelmingly supported Proposition 24, the Consumer Personal Information Law and Agency Initiative. Mike Kreidler. I see them as my allies,” he said, although he hasn’t discussed the shared work arrangement with them. Washington Governor Jay Inslee, D vs… That would go back up if the U.S. Supreme Court agrees with some Republicans that the law is unconstitutional without the requirement of fees for people who don’t have insurance, he added. Patel has brought some unconventional ideas to the race, including reportedly finding 168 insurance agents who are qualified to each serve in one hour long stints as “Internal Insurance Commissioners of Washington state.”. 50.73%. Chirayu Avinash Patel (Prefers Republican Party) Mike Kreidler (Prefers Democratic Party) State legislators: Legislative District 1, State Senator. Welti, who campaigns against crony capitalism and the influence of lobbyists, said his run stems from personal experience with an insurance problem. By continuing to use our site, you accept our revised Privacy Policy. Legislative District 1, State Senator. | Read more ». Home; About the Office; Secretary of State Bio; Contact Us Washington state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler is the obvious choice in the Nov. 3 election. A Washington resident with an out-of-state policy who goes to a hospital is likely to be told that company “is not on our list.” Companies in other states typically don’t have contracts with doctors, clinics or other providers in Washington, and Washington consumers won’t get much help for a complaint about an out-of-state company in that other state, he added. This year Kreidler has drawn two challengers: Libertarian Anthony Welti and Republican Chirayu Avinash Patel. Mike Kreidler (D) Chirayu Avinash Patel (R) Undecided Public Policy Polling: October 14–15, 2020 610 (LV) ± 4% 52%: 30% 18% 2020 Washington Insurance Commissioner election; Primary election Party Candidate Votes % Democratic: Mike Kreidler (incumbent) 1,402,650 59.0 Republican: Chirayu Avinash Patel 644,446 27.1 Kreidler has also been big on collecting premium taxes. 11/24/2020 2:38 PM. 48.67%. ... Republican Chirayu Avinash Patel, is not qualified. 59.28%. Patel was born in India and moved to the United States in 1999. He took office in 2017, and his current term ends on Jan. 4, 2021. Required fields are marked *. 56.05%. Kreidler, the current insurance commissioner, is running as a Democrat. BOX 15017 TUMWATER, WA 98511 (509) 768-8523 mike@mikekreidler.com www.mikekreidler.com. Vote Washington: Toggle Menu. When Washington voters pare down the field of insurance commissioner candidates in the Aug. 4 primary, they will have three very different options from which to choose. Democrat Mike Kreidler, who has held the post since 2001, faces Libertarian Anthony Welti, who is so serious about the race he quit his job to become a full-time candidate, and Republican Chirayu Patel, a University of Washington biochemistry student who describes himself as an “autistic savant” who can channel the thoughts of former Presidents Ronald Reagan and Thomas Jefferson. Get the insurance industry's trusted newsletter, Your email address will not be published. He was two months late filing his documents with the Public Disclosure Commission, has raised zero funds, and doesn’t really know much about the office. Chirayu Avinash Patel. Mike Kreidler Prefers Democratic Party Chirayu Avinash Patel Prefers Republican Party Legislative District 1 - State Senator - (4 Year Short & Full Term) Ballot Name Party Preference Derek Stanford Prefers Democratic Party Art Coday Prefers Republican Party Legislative District 1 - State Representative Pos. The race, like the office itself, isn’t high profile. He recently undertook a fight to prohibit insurers from including information from consumer credit histories in the insurance scores used to calculate premiums for auto, homeowners, renters and life insurance policies. Challenger Chirayu Avinash Patel, meanwhile, is a licensed insurance agent who brings some unconventional ideas to the race. Throughout his career, Commissioner Kreidler has been passionate about achieving health care coverage for all Washingtonians and led the efforts to implement the Affordable Care Act in our state. “If that happens, we’re in deep trouble. Among them, he … Some people have had problems getting medical costs covered when they apply for reimbursement with the association. It will be far down on a primary ballot that features lists of would-be governors, lieutenant governors – and in some districts, congressional candidates – in double digits. People need to read their policies more closely to understand what’s being covered and what isn’t, Welti said. “It’s unworkable,” he said. Amber Webber lost her job when COVID-19 hit Washington early last year. Five years ago, his wife and infant son lost their medical insurance when the company that had their policy left the state. An incumbent seeking a sixth term in the statewide position or two insurance agents who are making their first runs for political office. Rosendale (R) is running for election to the U.S. House for Montana’s At-Large Congressional District. Early in his term, he rejected a bid by one of the state's largest non-profit health insurers, Premera Blue Cross, to be… Garfield County. Chirayu Avinash Patel. Insurance Commissioner - Incumbent Mike Kreidler, 60.09 percent, Chirayu Avinash Patel, 27.97 percent, and Anthony Welti, 11.75 percent. Welti has been traveling the state with a long stop in Spokane over July 4 and is scheduled to attend a town hall in the Trailbreaker Cider restaurant in Liberty Lake with Libertarian presidential candidate Jo Jorgenson at 6 p.m. Friday. He states that he wants to model the office of the insurance commissioner based on a hybrid of the Ronald Reagan and Thomas Jefferson administrations. Wahkiakum had two races on the ballot, both for county commissioner, and both with only two candidates. Incumbent Mike Kreidler was leading Republican challenger Chirayu Patel in the race for Washington insurance commissioner as vote counting continued on Wednesday. Occupation: five-term state insurance commissioner; former optometrist, former regional director of U.S. Dept. Like auditor Pat McCarthy, Kreidler appears comfortable in his ability to win reelection. He wants to open up the insurance market to allow Washington residents to have more options, like the ability to buy cheaper insurance plans available in other states and health sharing membership plans in which people pool their money to support those in the plan. Chirayu Avinash Patel (Republican Party) Mike Kreidler (Democratic Party)* Local Races Washington 3rd Legislative District - Seat 1. Troy Downing, a Republican, is ahead in the race for Montana State Auditor. He ran on a platform of government, health insurance and auto insurance reform. “Yes” on Prop 24 had 56.1% of the vote vs. 43.9% “No” votes. 11,418. California had several initiatives on the ballot, including Proposition 22, which would effect the state’s gig economy workers. By Rick Nelson Washington's primary election on Tuesday weeded out candidates for state and legislative office, with the top two vote tallies advancing to the general election. Matt Rosendale is Montana’s Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, State Auditor. Kreidler is running against Republican Chirayu Avinash Patel and Libertarian Anthony Welti. Patel, a part-time insurance agent, garnered 644,446 votes in the primary to Kreidler’s 1.4 million votes. Occupation: Quit job as insurance agent to run full-time for office. Kreidler has been a vocal supporter of the Affordable Care Act, which he said has brought the state’s uninsured rate down to about 5% from about 14% before the law passed. Kreidler is opposed by Republican Chirayu Avinash Patel, an insurance agent and biochemistry student at the University of Washington.