2014 California Insurance Commissioner election
The 2014 California Insurance Commissioner election was held on November 4, 2014, to elect the Insurance Commissioner of California. Incumbent Democratic Commissioner Dave Jones ran for re-election to a second term in office.
A primary election was held on June 3, 2014. Under California's nonpartisan blanket primary law, all candidates appear on the same ballot, regardless of party. In the primary, voters may vote for any candidate, regardless of their party affiliation. The top two finishers — regardless of party — advance to the general election in November, even if a candidate manages to receive a majority of the votes cast in the primary election. Washington is the only other state with this system, a so-called "top two primary". Jones and Republican Ted Gaines finished first and second, respectively, and contested the general election, which Jones won. As of, this is the last time that a non-Hispanic was elected Insurance Commissioner of California; and the last time, alongside other concurrent statewide races, where Mono, San Diego, and San Luis Obispo Counties voted for the Republican in a statewide race.
Primary election
Candidates
Democratic Party
Declared
- Dave Jones, incumbent Insurance Commissioner
Republican Party
Declared
- Ted Gaines, state senator
Withdrew
- Michael Villines, former Minority Leader of the California State Assembly and nominee for Insurance Commissioner in 2010
Peace and Freedom Party
Declared
- Nathalie Hrizi, teacher and nominee for California's 12th congressional district in 2008