California Insurance Commissioner election, 2014

California Insurance Commissioner election, 2014

November 4, 2014

Nominee Dave Jones Ted Gaines Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 4,038,165 2,981,951 Percentage 57.52% 42.48%

Commissioner before election Dave Jones Democratic Elected Commissioner Dave Jones Democratic

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" (Louisiana has a similar "jungle primary"). Jones and Republican Ted Gaines finished first and second, respectively, and contested the general election, which Jones won.

Primary election

Candidates

Democratic Party

Declared

• Dave Jones, incumbent Insurance Commissioner^[1]

Republican Party

Declared

• Ted Gaines, State Senator^[2]

Withdrew

• Michael Villines, former Minority Leader of the California State Assembly and nominee for Insurance Commissioner in 2010^[2]

Peace and Freedom Party

Declared

• Nathalie Hrizi, teacher and nominee for California's 12th congressional district in 2008^[3]

Results

California Insurance Commissioner primary election, 2014[4]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Dave Jones	2,106,671	53.05
	Republican	Ted Gaines	1,651,242	41.58
	Peace and Freedom	Nathalie Hrizi	212,991	5.36
Total votes			3,970,904	100
Voter turnout			13.44%

General election

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Dave Jones (D)	Ted Gaines (R)	Undecided
GQR/American Viewpoint	October 22–29, 2014	1,162	± 3.3%	47%	36%	17%
Field Poll	October 15–28, 2014	941	± 3.4%	45%	33%	22%
Field Poll	August 14–28, 2014	467	± 4.8%	47%	32%	21%
Gravis Marketing	July 22–24, 2014	580	± 4%	32%	34%	34%

Results

California Insurance Commissioner general election, 2014[5]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Dave Jones	4,038,165	57.52
	Republican	Ted Gaines	2,981,951	42.48
Total votes			7,020,116	100

References

1. Christopher Cadelago (December 22, 2013). "California’s insurance commissioner seeks re-election, more power". CBS Sacramento. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
2. Christopher Cadelago (October 3, 2013). "Ted Gaines announces insurance commissioner run". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
3. "Nathalie Hrizi for California State Insurance Commissioner". Liberation. January 14, 2014. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
4. "Statement of Vote June 3, 2014, Statewide Direct Primary Election" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
5. "Statement of Vote November 4, 2014, General Election" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved December 30, 2014.

External links