Have you turned in your ballot yet? If you just said no, now is one of the few times a year you get to use the “sorry, I need to vote!” excuse to get out of whatever chore or family zoom event you’re being wrangled into. Just don’t say the idea came from us!

Please be sure to drop your ballot off in your county’s ballot dropbox or have it postmarked by 8:00 pm on Tuesday, August 4. Each election there are hundreds of ballots that are ineligible to count because they are turned in too late. Please don’t let that be you.

State Insurance Commissioner

Our final what’s on your ballot is for the state’s Insurance Commissioner. The insurance commissioner’s office oversees the insurance industry in the state. Not only do they ensure insurance companies comply with regulations and people get the coverage they’ve paid for. They also investigate insurance fraud and can make execute orders like waiving co-pays for COVID-19 tests. Read more about the Office of the Insurance Commissioner here.

This is a statewide position with a 4-year term.

Washington State Insurance Commissioner Candidates

Candidates submit their statements to the state for the voters’ guide. Neither the Office of the Secretary of State or Auburn Examiner make corrections or verify statements for truth or fact. A candidate’s preference does not imply that the candidate is nominated or endorsed by the party, or that the party approves of or associates with that candidate.

Anthony Welti
(Prefers Libertarian Party)
Elected Experience
I stand against career politicians including the 40 year career politician incumbent that currently holds this role.

Other Professional Experience
Insurance Agent, Bank Department Manager, Corporate Trainer always fighting for consumers to have higher quality, more affordable products and services.

Education
No information submitted

Community Service
I host and attending street feeds for the homeless and organize door knocking events that collect food for local food banks. I volunteer as a self defense coach at a martial arts school. I am the type of person that shows up when others need help and will do the same in elected office. Volunteerism is a key principle in my families life.

Statement
I am running for Commissioner to protect my family and yours from government and insurance corruption. For decades Washington families have been affected by rising rates, increasing deductibles and lack of choice with insurance.

Under my leadership, we will increase choices for health insurance plans including health sharing memberships and reduce costs. For the diverse needs Washingtonians we need diverse solutions. I support allowing insurance to be purchased across state and national lines, creating a la carte options, catastrophic coverages, removing taxes on insurance and healthcare and putting patients in control.

I will abolish mandatory credit checks on insurance, make it easier for new cost saving plans to be sold in WA and bring back legal defense insurance. I oppose career politicians and support term limits. Politicians get paid too much and have better benefits than average citizens. I call for a reduction in salary for State Executives while also abolishing the taxpayer funded health insurance and pensions they receive. Lobbyists, corporations and the government have far too much power, which I intend to give back to the people. I am pro government transparency, anti crony capitalism and I support all of your freedoms all of the time. Be Free.

Contact
(206) 931-0994
Anthony@anthonywelti.com
8825 34TH AVE NE UNIT L PMB 326
MARYSVILLE, WA 98271
Candidate Website
Campaign Contributions

Chirayu Avinash Patel
(Prefers Republican Party)

Elected Experience
This would be my first elected position as I am of age to hold office now.

Other Professional Experience
Fully Licensed Insurance Agent with Property, Casualty, Life and Disability Insurance Licenses. Have been involved in the industry for 21 years.

Education
I going to use the O.I.C. to acquire and manage 168 students as I need in order to major in Every Degree at UW

Community Service
I have volunteered with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Hole in the Wall Camps and will look for as many philanthropic endeavors as I able to incorporate into my schedule as Insurance Commissioner.

Statement
I am an autistic savant who has extensive knowledge and the many of the abilities of the President Reagan and President Jefferson Presidencies that I will incorporate into running the O.I.C. externally like the Reagan Administration and Internally (within WA) as the Jefferson Administration. I am the only candidate who has incorporated Specific Roles for Mr. Kriedler and Mr. Welti in the Office of Insurance Commissioner. I will be the External Insurance Commissioner for 60% of the time. Mr. Kriedler and Mr. Welti would each be External Insurance Commissioner for 20% of the time if I am elected Insurance Commissioner. I would fill the roles of Ronald, Nancy and Nixon, and Mr. Kriedler would be assigned the role of Carter and Mr. Welti would be Gerald Ford.

As for Internally, I have found 168 Honorable Insurance Agents all of whom are more qualified then myself to each serve in 1 hour increments as Internal Insurance Commissioners of Washington state. That is how the Jeffersonian movement to Counterbalance and stabilize the Affordable Care Act.

Additionally, I am fully willing and prepared to work with the either the Trump or Biden Administration.

Contact
(206) 778-4127
chirayu777@hotmail.com
3816 MCKINLEY AVE. S
TACOMA, WA 98404-
Candidate Website
Campaign Contributions

Mike Kreidler
(Prefers Democratic Party)

Elected Experience
Mike Kreidler has served with distinction as Insurance Commissioner since 2001. Mike also served as a school board member, State Representative, State Senator and U.S. Congressman.

Other Professional Experience
Mike worked as a Doctor of Optometry for 20 years. He was a small business owner and served as Director of Region 10 for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Education
Mike earned a Doctor of Optometry degree from Pacific University and a master’s degree in public health from UCLA.

Community Service
Mike is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves. He has been a member of a number of community service organizations.

Statement
Mike Kreidler is a strong and independent voice who continues to stand up to powerful industry interests as an advocate for insurance consumers. In his first five terms as In-surance Commissioner, Mike Kreidler saved consumers in our state over $300 million in auto and homeowners’ insurance by cutting excessive premium rates.

His consumer protection staff has helped thousands of Washingtonians with insurance problems, recovering over $200 million in wrongfully delayed or denied claims. The people of Washington deserve quality health insurance. Mike Kreidler has worked tirelessly to make sure insurance companies can no longer deny coverage. He convinced the Legislature to pass law protecting consumers from receiving surprise medical bills from emergency services.

He will continue working with community, business, and legislative leaders to further improve access to affordable health care and reduce the number of uninsured in our state, especially during their time of greatest need. Mike Kreidler is a proven leader who has served the people of Washington with dedication, fairness and hard work.

He consistently earns endorsements from consumer, labor, business, retiree, educational, health care organizations, and individuals across our state. Please join them by electing Mike Kreidler to another term as Insurance Commissioner.

Contact
(509) 768-8523
mike@mikekreidler.com
P.O. BOX 15017
TUMWATER, WA 98511
Candidate Website
Campaign Contributions

The Auburn Examiner encourages voters to do additional, independent, candidate research before casting their vote. Information on candidates can be obtained through interviews and profiles (local news outlets are usually a great source), questionnaires, candidate forums and debates, and any available voting records. A variety of websites also provide further details and information about candidates. We urge all voters to verify the authenticity of any website, and information used to inform their voting decisions. Always remember: trust, but verify.

Important 2020 Primary Dates

July 27: LAST DAY for online and mail voter registration and updates! These must be received 8 days before Election Day. You are still able to register to vote and update your voter registration in person during business hours and any time before 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
July 31: Unofficial, it is recommended that if mailing in your ballot, you return it by the Friday before Election Day to ensure it is postmarked by Election Day.
August 4: Deadline for in-person voter registration and updates (up to 8:00 pm).
August 4: Primary – Returned ballots must be postmarked or deposit your ballot in an official drop box by 8 pm on Election Day.

Don’t panic if you miss the deadline to register to vote online. You can still register in person up until 8:00 pm on election day. If you have not yet received your ballot, contact your county (King or Pierce) elections department ASAP. Remember, voters do not have to declare a party affiliation to vote in the primary.