Don't Miss UCC California Insurance Commissioner Candidates Debate April 24th

With escalating insurance costs, mounting wildfire-related coverage controversies and regulatory uncertainty, the San Fernando Valley’s United Chambers of Commerce (UCC), a coalition of 14 local chambers representing 160,000 Valley businesses, is convening a major debate forum for this year’s state insurance commissioner candidates.

The candidates’ forum is slated for Friday, April 24, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Shepherd Church, 5901 De Soto Avenue in Woodland Hills. The event will be moderated by the California Chamber of Commerce senior vice president of communications and former LA Times Sacramento bureau chief John Myers.

“Right now, this is one of the most consequential statewide regulatory races – one that especially impacts Angeleno residents and businesses,” said UCC chairman Mike Stafford. “The decision as to who will preside over state policy on insurance will be pivotal.”

According to UCC Government Affairs Committee chairman David Phelps, historically, there have been few debate forums for insurance commissioner candidates as, in the past, the post was considered somewhat obscure.

“Today’s combination of current economic factors, evolving environmental challenges and seismic shifts in the insurance industry has made the race for the state’s insurance commissioner’s job highly consequential,” said Phelps. “This forum provides a timely opportunity for voters, business owners and community stakeholders to hear directly from candidates on their vision, policies, and priorities.”

Stafford notes that California’s insurance situation, especially in Los Angeles “isn’t just a matter of insurance getting expensive. The California insurance market is seriously, structurally strained.”

“This is a market stability crisis with real household and business consequences. The forum will provide a much-needed public discussion of the issues by the candidates,” he explained. “Not only have insurance companies been canceling homeowner policies or refusing to write new ones but, since the 2025 fires, there have been multiple homeowner lawsuits against more than two dozen insurance companies alleging antitrust/collusion, systematic underinsurance and industry misconduct.”

Following the fires, over 40,000 insurance claims have been filed. Over 13,000 claims involved standing homes, leading to accusations that insurers were failing to properly address smoke damage. The state’s FAIR insurance program, which many consider to be a last resort, has seen a 146% increase in the number of policies since 2022.”

With the highly-criticized incumbent Ricardo Lara term-limited and retiring from public office, there is a crowded field of candidates running in the top-two primary for insurance commissioner in June.

Candidates include State Senator Ben Allen(D), former State Senator Steven Bradford(D), California Working Families Party executive director Jane Kim(D), insurance agent Stacy Korsgaden(R), Los Angeles school teacher/Peace & Freedom Party candidate Lalo Vargas, financial analyst Patrick Wolff(D), contractor Eric Thor Aarnio(R), financial services executive Sean Lee(R), Pacific Palisades homeowner and entertainment industry attorney Merritt Farren(R), American Independent insurance agent Keith Davis and cybersecurity company CEO Robert Howell (R). California’s primary is June 2 and the election will be November 3^rd.

Confirmed candidates to date include Allen, Bradford, Farren, Korsgaden, Vargas and Wolff.

Event registration can be made at (https://form.jotform.com/26070116108114 and is expected to sell out early.

“UCC is committed to ensuring that the voices of our business community are part of critical statewide conversations,” said Stafford. “The insurance commissioner plays a direct role in shaping the economic stability of our region from small businesses to homeowners. So, it’s essential that our community has the opportunity to hear directly from these candidates and learn how they intend to address this very complex problem.”

The United Chambers of Commerce of the San Fernando Valley is a coalition of business organizations dedicated to advancing economic growth, fostering collaboration and amplifying the collective voice of the San Fernando Valley business community. Through advocacy, programming, and strategic partnerships, UCC plays a key role in connecting Valley business leadership with public policy and regional development initiatives.

MEDIA ADVISORY: Members of the media can attend to cover the forum. Contact Waltona Manion at 818-404-7271 to confirm attendance and seating availability.