Kansas Agents Group Hosting Candidate Forum for Insurance Post

The candidates for Kansas insurance commissioner are scheduled to speak at an Oct. 17 forum being held by the Kansas Association of Insurance Agents at the Wichita Marriott hotel.

Republican nominee Ken Selzer and Democratic candidate Dennis Anderson are running to replace retiring three-term GOP incumbent Sandy Praeger. Praeger has been unusual among prominent Republicans for publicly defending the federal health care overhaul. She’s also broken with her party to endorse Anderson, the Associated Press reported.

Anderson, from Overland Park, is co-CEO of A.D. Banker & Co., a family business providing educational services to insurance and financial services firms.

Anderson’s campaign materials state that as commissioner he would “ensure reasonable oversight of insurance companies to keep insurance best working for all Kansans.” He also “believes that consumer protection doesn’t have to trade off with a company’s ability to run its business. A balanced approach is what Kansas needs.”

Selzer, of Leawood, is a certified public accountant and an executive managing director at the global reinsurance company, Aon Benfield, according to information posted on his campaign web site.

Announcing his candidacy in a press release in May, Selzer said: “I will advocate every day to emphasize consistent, balanced regulations that will in-turn create competition in all lines of insurance which will benefit all Kansans. I will promote a business environment that will encourage insurance companies to consider calling Kansas home.”

KAIA will live-stream the forum from 8:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. for those who can’t attend in person.