The Eagle’s endorsement for Insurance Commissioner

Republican

Vicki Schmidt, a Topeka pharmacist and state senator, receives our endorsement by the narrowest of margins in a race with two high-quality candidates.

Schmidt, 62, has been in the Kansas Senate since 2005, working on committees (Financial Institutions and Insurance, Public Health and KanCare oversight) that deal directly with Kansas insurance issues. Her work as a pharmacist puts her on the front line dealing with citizens who have Medicare, Medicaid, commercial policies, as well as the uninsured and underinsured. It’s hard to imagine a more qualified candidate for insurance commissioner who hasn’t already worked inside the office. She sees insurance issues from many perspectives.

Clark Shultz, 61, is the Insurance Commissioner’s office assistant commissioner after 22 years in state government. He won a seat in the House in 1996 and became a licensed insurance agent in 1998. He became chairman of the House Insurance committee in 2005 and served in the role until 2014. He lost in this primary four years ago to Ken Selzer, then accepted a job from Selzer after his election and is now assistant commissioner. He has inside knowledge and experience within the office and would, if elected, hit the ground running. Selzer had championed a more lean Insurance Commissioner’s office, but Shultz wants to make sure the department is staffed at a more appropriate level.

The winner will face Democratic nominee Nathaniel McLaughlin in the Nov. 6 general election.

This story was originally published July 27, 2018 at 6:00 AM.