California’s first elected insurance commissioner says Ricardo Lara has ‘failed’
By Nicole Nixon, December 17, 2025
A Democratic congressman and twice-elected state insurance commissioner on Wednesday slammed the current officeholder, Ricardo Lara, who he accused of failing in his duty to California consumers.
Rep. John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, became the first person elected to the office in 1990 after voters turned it into an elected position instead of one appointed by the governor. He served until 1995 and held a second term as the state’s insurance watchdog from 2003-2007.
Read more at: https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article313783509.html
