North Carolina’s insurance commissioner from 2009 through 2016 wants the job again.

Democrat Wayne Goodwin announced Tuesday he’ll run for commissioner next year, setting up a potential rematch with current Commissioner Mike Causey, the Republican who beat him in 2016. Causey already announced he’s seeking a second term.

Goodwin has been the state Democratic Party chair since his defeat. He was a state legislator and assistant insurance commissioner until his 2008 election victory for commissioner. In a news release, Goodwin blamed Causey for higher insurance rates and says politics is getting in the way of health care savings.

“There’s a lot of work left to be done, and I know I am up for the job,” Goodwin said in a news release.

Causey has said he’s worked to help lower insurance costs, hold insurance companies accountable and fight corruption. He gained attention this year after federal prosecutors said he reported an alleged bribe attempt against him and helped authorities gather evidence. Four people were indicted in the matter, including then-state GOP Chairman Robin Hayes. Hayes accepted a plea agreement last month.

The April indictment accuses insurance magnate Greg Lindberg of planning to funnel up to $2 million for Causey’s 2020 re-election campaign in exchange for special treatment for his insurance businesses. Causey faces no charges.

Before the charges, Lindberg had become a mega-political donor in North Carolina, giving more than $5 million since 2016 to state and federal candidates and committees. Campaign finance records show Lindberg gave $10,000 to Goodwin’s 2016 campaign and $450,000 to a committee that produced pro-Goodwin commercials.

Goodwin has not been accused of wrongdoing and he said in April he never performed favors for Lindberg while commissioner.

Goodwin would have to step aside from his duties as state Democratic Party chair if he’s in a contested primary, but he’d return to the post when the primary ends, spokeswoman Kimberly Reynolds said.

Related Stories
‹
NC Insurance Commissioner says Blue Cross CEO Should Resign
North Carolina’s top insurance regulator on Wednesday called on the chief executive of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina to resign after his impaired-driving arrest in June, citing a “lack of leadership and governance” by the CEO and the board. Commissioner Mike Causey said president and CEO Dr. Patrick Conway has shown a […]
Insurance Commissioner Wants Blue Cross to Name Interim CEO
North Carolina’s top insurance regulator wants Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina to name an interim chief executive while its current leader awaits resolution of an impaired driving case. Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey made the request Friday in a letter to Blue Cross board members about president and CEO Patrick Conway. News outlets citing court […]
State Insurance Officials Charge Hillsborough Man with Fraud
A Hillsborough man is facing fraud charges from the North Carolina Insurance Commissioner’s Office. Officials from the state insurance agency said in a news release on Friday that 34-year-old Dominique Denice Johnson, of Rocky Ridge Road in Hillsborough, has been charged with a felony count of obtaining property by false pretense. Johnson allegedly accepted $1,300 […]
FEMA Approves Disaster Assistance for Chantal's Flood-Damaged Areas, Including Orange County
Two months after flash floodwaters ripped through central North Carolina, funding from FEMA is headed to the affected areas.
North Carolina Voter ID and Tax Cap Amendments Are Enforceable, Judges Rule
Two North Carolina constitutional amendments approved in 2018 — including a voter ID mandate — are enforceable, a trial court panel ruled.
A Democratic Governor, A Republican Legislature: How Josh Stein Navigates North Carolina Politics
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein has taken an unusual approach with Republicans in his first eight months leading the highly competitive state.
North Carolina Supreme Court Says Bars’ COVID-19 Lawsuits Can Continue
The North Carolina Supreme Court issued favorable rulings Friday for bars and their operators in litigation seeking monetary compensation from the state for COVID-19 restrictions.
North Carolina Updates More Than 20,000 Voter Records, Seeks More ID Numbers
Voter registration records for more than 20,000 people in North Carolina have been successfully amended — but 82,000+ remain incomplete.
Duke Energy Seeks to Merge Carolina Utilities, Projecting More Than $1B in Customer Savings
Duke Energy Corp. said it formally asked federal and state regulators on Thursday for permission to join together its two subsidiaries.
North Carolina Gov. Stein Signs Stopgap Budget Bill and Vetoes Opt-in Bill Helping School Choice
Written by GARY D. ROBERTSON RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein signed into law on Wednesday a stopgap spending measure while lawmakers remain in a state budget impasse. But he vetoed legislation that would direct state participation in a yet-implemented federal tax credit program to boost school-choice options, suggesting state Republicans acted hastily. The […]
›