North Carolina Democratic voters have two choices for state insurance commissioner in the primaries, as long-time Commissioner Jim Long is retiring after 23 years.
RALEIGH -- North Carolina Democratic voters have two choices for state insurance commissioner in the primaries, as long-time Commissioner Jim Long is retiring after 23 years.
Both Wayne Goodwin and David Smith hope to take his place. First, they must face the May 6 primary.
For the past three years, Goodwin has worked as the assistant insurance commissioner. Before that, he served eight years in the N.C. House of Representatives.
“I am the only candidate in this race who has actually worked in the Department of Insurance,” said Goodwin. “I serve as the assistant commissioner of insurance and I manage one-fourth of the department and advise and counsel the insurance commissioner.”
Smith is an attorney, based in Durham. He is also the president-elect of the N.C. Association of Health Underwriters.
“My [law] practice is mainly helping small businesses and individuals who have problems with the insurance system or the employee benefits world and helping them solve those problems,” Smith explained.
Both candidates want good drivers to pay the lowest car insurance rates. They also agree the insurance commissioner must fight for North Carolinians.
However, they disagree about which one of them is best qualified to for the job.
Democratic candidates Wayne Goodwin, left, and David Smith, right.
“Unlike my opponent, I do not work for the insurance industry,” explained Goodwin. “It's very important that you have an insurance commission that's independent and not tied to the insurance industry. We do not need the fox guarding the hen house.”
But Smith argues his work within the insurance industry is not a conflict of interest. He believes it’s actually an advantage, giving him more insight and knowledge into how the industry works, and what problems need to be addressed.
“I'm the one who's actually been working for consumers the last six years and I'm the one who actually understands this business,” he said.
Goodwin's top priority is fighting for low and fair insurance rates.
Smith says he'll work to reduce the number of people in our state without insurance.
In addition to regulating insurance companies, the insurance commissioner is also the state fire marshal, oversees collection agencies, and interprets the state's building codes.
The Democrat who wins the primary next month will face Republican John Odom in the general election in November.