California State Sen. Ben Allen announced his candidacy for California Insurance Commissioner, pledging to prioritize consumers while ensuring a climate-resilient insurance market. The Santa Monica Democrat enters the race with advantages in polling, fundraising and political support.
The January Palisades Fire proved a defining moment for Allen's public service career. The fire erupted near where he grew up and is raising his family, devastating communities he has represented for more than a decade in the State Senate.
"The Palisades Fire underscored what we've known for years: our world is changing beneath our feet," Allen said. "If we want to keep California affordable and livable, we must make our insurance system adaptable to the realities of a changing world, while making sure insurance companies treat people right."
Allen immediately worked on the governmental response, bringing state and federal leaders together for resident assistance, securing funding to rebuild infrastructure and helping families recover. He wrote legislation to assist mobile home park residents who lost everything and provide tax assistance for fire victims.
Allen's campaign received endorsements from U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff, Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire, Pro Tem-designee Monique Limon and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas. He starts with nearly $1 million in campaign funds, and recent Probolsky Research polling showed him with double the numbers of the closest Democratic challenger.
"Ben has a proven record of tackling tough public policy issues, and I can think of no one better prepared to take on the challenges ahead," Schiff said.
Allen has served in the State Senate since 2014 after serving as school board president. He authored one of the nation's most ambitious plastic waste reduction laws and recently spearheaded the Combating Auto Retail Scams Act. As an environmental policy leader, he was lead author of the climate bond passed by voters in November 2024.
For more information, visit BenAllenCA.com.
Edited by SMDP Staff