Lobbyist, Former Democratic Lawmaker Squires to Run for Georgia Insurance Post

Mary Squires, a former Democratic state lawmaker who now lobbies for the self-insurance industry, is running to be Georgia’s next insurance commissioner.

Squires is the first candidate to enter the race to succeed John Oxendine, the Republican incumbent who is running for governor.

State Politics

Squires was elected to the Georgia General Assembly in 1998. She served tw o terms in the House (1999-2003) and one term in the Senate (2003-2005).

In addition to serving as a legislator, Squires served 10 years in the Georgia Army National Guard.

Self-Insurance Industry

Squires currently is the executive director and chief lobbyist for the Atlanta-based Georgia Society of Professional Benefit Administrators, Inc., a public affairs trade association for corporations that self-insure their employee benefits.

Squires also serves as the director and chief executive officer of the Olive Industry Association, a national agriculture research and trade association.

Quality of Life

“I am excited to be the first candidate in the race for Insurance Commissioner. It is a very important position. The Insurance Commissioner impacts the quality of life for every day Georgians more than any other race in 2010,” she said in her announcement.

The insurance commissioner also serves as the state’s safety fire commissioner.

Oxendine was first elected to the post in 1994; he was re-elected in 1998, 2002 and 2006.

The election is Nov. 2, 2010.