The 2026 California Insurance Commissioner election will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect the insurance commissioner of California. Incumbent Democratic insurance commissioner Ricardo Lara is term-limited and ineligible to run for re-election to a third term.
A nonpartisan blanket primary was held on June 2, 2026, with state senator Ben Allen and former San Francisco County supervisor Jane Kim advancing to the general election.
Candidates Democratic Party Advanced to general Ben Allen, state senator from the 24th district (2014–present) Jane Kim, former executive director of the California Working Families Party, former San Francisco supervisor from the 6th district (2011–2019), runner-up for California's 11th senate district in 2016, and candidate for mayor of San Francisco in 2018
Eliminated in primary Steven Bradford, former state senator from the 35th district (2016–2024) (previously ran for lieutenant governor) Patrick Wolff, chess grandmaster and financial analyst
Declined Mike McGuire, President pro tempore of the California State Senate (2024–present) from the 2nd district (2014–present) (running for U.S. House, endorsed Allen)
Republican Party Eliminated in primary Eric Thor Aarnio, contractor Merritt Farren, attorney Robert Howell, runner-up for Insurance Commissioner in 2022 Stacy Korsgaden, insurance agent Sean Lee, finance executive
American Independent Party Eliminated in primary Keith Davis, insurance agent
Peace and Freedom Party Eliminated in primary Eduardo "Lalo" Vargas, high school teacher and candidate for Los Angeles's 14th City Council district in 2024
Primary election Endorsements
Polling No independent public polls were released during the primary. A poll commissioned by the Insurance Fairness Project found that 62% of likely voters said they were very concerned about the cost of home insurance, and 43% said they had no confidence that California's insurance system could withstand future extreme weather disasters.
According to a May 2026 internal poll from the Wolff campaign, cited by Politico, Kim held a slight lead over other candidates among decided voters ahead of the June 2 primary.
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error BenAllen (D) JaneKim (D) StevenBradford (D) Robert Howell (R) EduardoVargas (PF) PatrickWolff (D) UndecidedProbolsky Research/Allen internalSeptember 6–11, 20251000 (RV)± 3.3%10%not polled5%22%5%5%52%Lake Research Partners/Kim internalDecember 11–16, 2025600 (LV)± 4.0%5%10%2%4%4%4%51%FM3 Research/Wolff internalMarch 9–16, 2026637 (LV)± 4.0%8%9%1%4%3%4%50%
Results
General election Post-primary endorsements
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error BenAllen (D) JaneKim (D) Other UndecidedIndependent Voter ProjectSeptember 23 – October 2, 20262,906 (LV)± 2.5%11%14%10%64%
Results
See also 2026 California elections 2026 California gubernatorial election
Notes
References
External links Official campaign websites Ben Allen (D) Jane Kim (D)