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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

State Insurance Commissioner

The survivor of a Republican slugfest for the state insurance commissioner post must then fight the feisty incumbent, Deborah Senn.

Four Republicans have bickered through more than 20 public forums during the past five months in an unusually heated competition for what was long deemed a sleepy job.

Senn’s turbulent tenure as a blunt industry critic and consumer champion has changed that. Republicans see her as vulnerable and lined up to take her on.

The two presumed front-runners are Anthony Lowe and Dave Walker.

Lowe is the party’s candidate of choice. His glittering endorsement roster stretches from vice-presidential candidate Jack Kemp to almost every prominent Republican in the state.

A King County deputy prosecutor and a former aide to U.S. Sen. Slade Gorton, Lowe bills himself as the one Republican who can beat Senn.

“I’m the only candidate who does not rely on industry money for my livelihood. That gives me some independence that voters can trust.”

Walker represents the regime before Senn arrived. He worked for 16 years in the insurance commissioner’s office.

Walker claims he could turn the office around in “15 minutes” and restore the credibility and cooperation he says Senn has squandered.

The two other major Republican candidates are Steve Skipper and Brian McCulloch.

Skipper, an insurance instructor and salesman, wants to trim the regulatory powers of the office, claiming regulations end up costing consumers money.

McCulloch, an insurance instructor, claims Senn is ignorant about the potential solvency of insurance companies, and the threat to consumers.

Senn claims her Republican critics are driven by the insurance industry campaign money she refuses to accept.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: THE JOB The state insurance commissioner regulates insurance companies operating in Washington state and provides consumer information to the public. All rate-hike requests must first pass through the commissioner’s office. The commissioner serves a four-year term and is paid $77,200 a year.

This sidebar appeared with the story: THE JOB The state insurance commissioner regulates insurance companies operating in Washington state and provides consumer information to the public. All rate-hike requests must first pass through the commissioner’s office. The commissioner serves a four-year term and is paid $77,200 a year.