The Bay Area Reporter, the Highest Circulation LGBTQ Newspaper in America Says “California Deserves an Insurance Commissioner Who is Independent of the Industry They Regulate”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 6, 2022

(Sacramento, CA)--In a major development in the race for Insurance Commissioner, The Bay Area Reporter, an LGBTQ newspaper for the San Francisco Bay Area and the highest circulation LGBTQ newspaper in America has endorsed Democrat Marc Levine. 

“We wanted to recommend current Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara (D) for another term,” reads the editorial. “A gay man, he was the first LGBTQ person to win election to statewide office four years ago and shattered that pink glass ceiling. But Lara has had a rocky tenure beset by ethical scandals dating back to 2019.He accepted industry campaign contributions in excess of $270,000 from 56 different sources with ties to the insurance industry and he has intervened in cases involving donors, as multiple news outlets have reported.”

In endorsing Levine, the editorial continues: “Levine helped increase transparency on homeowners' insurance...He ensured homeowners are provided with timely estimates about their current property values so they don't find out they are underinsured following a wildfire. Levine is a strong supporter of universal health care…He has taken on Big Oil, the National Rifle Association, and other special interests…. California deserves an insurance commissioner who is independent of the industry they regulate, and on that metric, Lara has not lived up to his pledges. We recommend Levine for insurance commissioner.”

“I am truly humbled to have earned the endorsement of the Bay Area Reporter,” said Assemblymember and candidate for Insurance Commissioner Marc Levine. “Throughout my life and career, fighting for equality for all people has been my north star. While we have made great advances in civil rights for LGBTQ Americans over the past decade, many injustices remain. As Insurance Commissioner, I’m going to fight against discrimination of any kind in the insurance market, and ensure that healthcare and all insurance is affordable and accessible to every Californian, regardless of sexual or gender identity, race, or economic status.”

The endorsement from the Bay Area Reporter comes on the heels of major endorsements of Levine by the Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Mercury News, and East Bay Times.