Kansans Re-Elect Republican Commissioner Praeger

Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger claimed victory on Tuesday as Kansas voters gave her a second four-year term.

The Republican incumbent’s campaign against Rep. Bonnie Sharp, D-Kansas City, was low-key, unlike the contentious bout against conservative Rep. Eric Carter in the Aug. 1 primary.

Sharp has been in the Legislature for 10 years and for the past six years was the ranking Democrat on the House Insurance Committee.

Carter accused Praeger, a moderate, of not doing her job and causing higher health insurance premiums in Kansas. He also said she was more cozy with the Democrats than Republicans, a criticism blunted by support from such Kansas GOP icons as Nancy Kassebaum Baker and Bob Dole.

As insurance commissioner, Praeger regulates the state’s $11 billion insurance industry. There are 1,690 insurance companies licensed in Kansas, including 112 companies admitted to doing business in Kansas during Praeger’s first term. Since taking office, Praeger says she has recovered $40 million for Kansans.

Before her election in 2002, Praeger served a decade in the Senate, where she focused on health care issues.

Also on the ballot was Libertarian Patrick Wilbur of Lawrence.

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