Republican Selzer Wins Kansas Insurance Commissioner Race
November 5, 2014 by Thomas Harman
TOPEKA, Kan. – Republican Ken Selzer will be the new Kansas insurance commissioner after scoring a victory over Democrat Dennis Anderson in the Nov. 4 race, winning about 62% of the vote.
Selzer told Best’s News Service the message he offered throughout his candidacy was straightforward. “We’re going to bring good business practices to this very important state insurance department that affects all Kansans,” he said.
Selzer said he campaigned on having an insurance department that was more responsive, innovative and efficient, as well as finding ways to bring more competition into Kansas for certain lines of insurance such as homeowners, long-term care and health care. “We’re going to put our heads together with several government agencies that can assist and we’ll follow the example of other states that have been successful doing this.”
While Praeger is a Republican, she endorsed Anderson, citing his opposition to legislation that placed Kansas in the Interstate Healthcare Compact and Anderson’s position favoring Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act as reasons (Best’s News Service, Sept. 17, 2014). Praeger also had endorsed Rep. Clark Shultz in the Republican primary, but Selzer defeated him and three other challengers in August with just 27% of the vote. Anderson ran unopposed in the Democrat primary race.
Anderson runs Overland Park-based A.D. Banker & Co. a firm that provides online training and information to provide insurance providers with licensing and continuing education. Anderson said he wanted to the see the department operated efficiently and be free of political leaning.
Selzer ended up getting the vast majority of insurance industry campaign contributions.
Selzer’s final campaign statement for contributions between July 25 and Oct. 23 showed a total of $146,789.27, about $43,450 of that coming from 40 contributors that associated themselves with the insurance industry.
The Kansas Association of Insurance Agents supported Selzer and his four Republican opponents, as well as Anderson during the primary race, but contributed only to Selzer in the general election. “Mr. Selzer has actively sought input and ideas from agents throughout the state,” said KAIA Executive Director Kerri Spielman. “We look forward to working with him as the new commissioner.”