Where we stand on the WA auditor and insurance commissioner races | Editorial
When it comes to the races for state auditor and state insurance commissioner, there is no question that the incumbents should be elected to another term.
Here is our take for these two lower-profile, yet significant state executive offices.
Insurance Commissioner
It would be nearly impossible to find anyone more qualified to be the state’s insurance commissioner than Democrat Mike Kreidler.
He has been in the job close to 20 years, and his grasp of the complexities of the insurance industry is unparalleled.
The state insurance commissioner’s office oversees the insurance industry in major categories that include auto, home, life, long-term care, Medicare and — most importantly during the COVID-19 pandemic — health care.
Kreidler fights for consumer rights, making sure that insurance companies follow the rules and provide the coverage people have paid for. Last year he persuaded the state Legislature to pass the nation’s strongest law against surprise bills from medical emergencies.
With the future of the federal Affordable Care Act in doubt, Kreidler, 77, is running again because he is committed to ensuring all state residents have access to health care they can afford.
In his protective role, Kriedler has helped people recover millions of dollars in denied or delayed insurance claims. According to the statewide Voter’s Pamphlet, Kreidler said that since he has been in office, his department has saved Washington state consumers over $300 million in auto and homeowner’s insurance by cutting excessive premium rates.
Kreidler’s opponent is Republican Chirayu Avinash Patel of Tacoma, who says he is a licensed insurance agent. Patel, 31, told us he is an “autistic savant.”
Patel said that if he was elected he would share the job with Kreidler. In the statewide Voters’ Pamphlet, he said he also would share the job with others who are “more qualified than myself.”
It is clear voters should send Kreidler back for his sixth term.
The Tri-City Herald recommends Democrat Mike Kreidler to the Office of the Insurance Commissioner.
State Auditor
When Tacoma Democrat Pat McCarthy took over the state auditor’s office four years ago, the department was a mess.
Her predecessor, Troy Kelley, was facing theft and tax fraud charges in connection with his former real estate business. The credibility of the auditor’s office was in shambles, and McCarthy’s first goal was to restore people’s trust.
She’s accomplished that.
The state auditor’s office is typically described as the watchdog for public spending — from rural fire districts to massive state agencies.
McCarthy’s team members examine how government departments use tax money, checking for misappropriations, malfeasance and shoddy bookkeeping.
Under McCarthy’s leadership, the state auditor’s website has been transformed into a user-friendly, public tool kit for anyone seeking information about government spending, financial audits, performance audits and whistleblower and fraud reports.
Her challenger is Republican Chris Leyba of Tacoma. He is currently a felony crimes detective with the King County Sheriff’s Office. He also earned national certification as a law enforcement auditor while working for the Seattle Police Department, performing internal audits that monitored property, narcotics and money.
Leyba said he wants the auditor’s office to be pro-active, finding ways to prevent fraud instead of reacting to problems later. He points out that the Employment Security Department never should have been hacked.
Earlier this year, the agency lost hundreds of millions in jobless benefits that should have gone to struggling residents sidelined by COVID-19 restrictions.
But the breach was not McCarthy’s fault. The state auditor’s job, by statute, is a responsive one — not a preemptive one.
And now state auditors are working to help find out what went wrong at Employment Security so this kind of catastrophe is not repeated. This must be a priority, and McCarthy’s team is already on top of it.
McCarthy was a two-term Pierce County executive and a Pierce County auditor before taking the helm of the state auditor’s office.
Leyba’s law enforcement career is impressive, but his auditing experience — while solid — is limited compared to McCarthy’s.
She’s turned a dysfunctional state agency into a well respected department. She has earned another term.
The Tri-City Herald recommends Democrat Pat McCarthy for State Auditor.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREBehind Our Election Recommendations
Who decides the recommendations?
Members of The Tri-City Herald editorial board is comprised of experienced opinion journalists and community members, and is separate from The Herald’s newsroom. Conversations are on the record.
What does the recommendation process entail?
Whenever possible, The Herald editorial board meets with opposing candidates at the same time. The questions are largely focused on a candidate’s qualifications and goals. The editorial board then discusses the candidates in each race and decides who to recommend. Board members seek to reach a consensus on our recommendations, but not every decision is unanimous.
Is the editorial board partisan?
No. In making recommendations, members of the editorial board consider which candidates are well prepared to represent their constituents — not whether they agree with us or belong to a particular political party. We evaluate candidates’ relevant experience, their readiness for office, their depth of knowledge of key issues, their understanding of public policy and their ability to work with the current board . We’re seeking candidates who are thoughtful and who offer more than just party-line talking points. The editorial board will endorse both Republicans and Democrats.
Why are the editorials unsigned?
Our election recommendations reflect the collective views of The Herald’s editorial board — not just the opinion of one writer. For the 2022 election, the board includes: Cecilia Rexus, Herald editorial writer; Laurie Williams, Herald executive editor; Jack Briggs, retired Herald publisher; Ken Robertson, retired Herald executive director; Matt Taylor, retired Herald editorial writer; Mike Paoli and Martin Valadez, community representatives.
This story was originally published October 15, 2020 at 4:00 AM.