Combative Insurance Chief Vows More Of Same

Insurance Commissioner Deborah Senn announced her re-election campaign in Spokane on Monday, pledging to make her office the state’s premier consumer protection agency.

“When I came into office three years ago, a lot of people hadn’t heard of the insurance commissioner,” she said. “We have put this office on the map.”

Senn’s combative style hit the insurance industry like a shot of whiskey when she replaced a passive commissioner who rarely questioned requested rate increases.

In the past year, Senn’s clash with the companies she regulates sparked at least five lawsuits over rate increases in health care premiums.

She also is being sued by the insurance industry for allegedly over-stepping her authority.

At Spokane County Democratic headquarters on Monday, Senn didn’t announce a change in tact. Asked if she has any friends in the insurance industry, Senn smiled and said, “Good question.”

She also swung at state insurance company executives who made as much as $742,000 last year and still insisted they are losing money.

“They’re telling us they’re hungry while their mouth is full,” she said.

Senn said some insurance agents support her. As for the lobbyists and executives, she indicated the most she can hope for is an understanding that they have to work with her.

There are already three Republicans who have lined up to challenge Senn: teachers Steve Skipper and Dave Walker, and Anthony Lowe, a deputy prosecutor in King County.

Todd Myers, communications director for the state Republican Party, said Senn’s hostility to the industry is driving out good insurers and reducing options for consumers.

“She is driving companies out of the state, rapidly,” Myers said.

“She’s run that office more for herself than for the people of Washington state.”

Told that Senn stated an actual growth in the insurance companies, Myers snapped, “I think that’s flat-out wrong. I think she’s manipulating the statistics.”

Myers claimed ethics issues cloud Senn’s performance, noting she is being sued by an employee who claims Senn tried to force her to do campaign work for her.

Senn has denied the accusation.

The candidate said Monday she will not take campaign contributions from the insurance industry, or anyone regulated by her office.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo