For some, becoming a state insurance commissioner is the culmination of a long successful career in insurance, the pinnacle of the profession. For others, it is a political office, a stepping stone on the way to greater things.
So it is that California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, a Democrat from Sacramento, has announced his intention to run for state attorney general in 2018. He starts the campaign with $2.6 million in the bank from his recent re-election campaign for commissioner, a race he won easily.
“I have dedicated my life and my legal training to protecting California families,” Jones said in his announcement. “I am ready and well-prepared to take on this challenge.”
Even though the election is nearly three years off, three other Democrats have also announced for the race, joining two Republicans… so far. Democrat Kamala Harris is the current attorney general, but she is running for a US Senate seat. If she wins, it is likely Governor Jerry Brown would appoint a Democrat to fill the attorney general role until the next general election in 2018. So far, Jones does not appear to be on Brown’s short list for that appointment, which means he could ultimately run against an incumbent from his own party.
Jones makes his case for moving from insurance commissioner to attorney general with this statement from his Facebook page:
“As Insurance Commissioner, I successfully have led a statewide law enforcement agency for over 4 years, leading over 300 law enforcement officers in combating insurance fraud and other crimes and protecting the public interest. I have dedicated my life and my legal training to protecting California families.”
