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 ResignNorth 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 CEONorth 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 FraudA 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 […]

Prodded by Lawsuits, North Carolina Seeks To Tighten Voter ID Records for Roughly 200,000 PeopleNorth Carolina election officials on Thursday launched an online database of voter registration records for 103,000 people being asked to add their driver’s license numbers or partial Social Security numbers to the state's records

North Carolina Governor Vetoes Another Set of Bills, Including One on Guns in Private SchoolsGov. Josh Stein cleared his desk Wednesday of bills passed to him from the North Carolina General Assembly last month, vetoing three.

North Carolina Governor Vetoes Anti-DEI and Transgender Rights Bills, Calling Them ‘Mean-Spirited'North Carolina Democratic Gov. Josh Stein vetoed on Thursday three anti-DEI bills and another measure that in part would target transgender rights.

North Carolina Gov. Stein Vetoes Bill Repealing Interim Greenhouse Gas Reduction MandateNorth Carolina Gov. Josh Stein vetoed legislation Wednesday that in part would repeal an interim greenhouse gas reduction mandate set for Duke Energy's power generation.

A Former Governor, a Trump and Many Others: Tillis Retirement Sets off NC Senate Seat SpeculationNorth Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis' retirement announcement set off a scramble of successor speculation as it opens a seat in 2026's midterms.

North Carolina To Send Mailers to About 200,000 Voters Asking for Missing Registration InfoNorth Carolina election officials will send mailers to about 200,000 voters asking them to provide information missing from their state registration records.

North Carolina Legislature Leaves After Passing Helene Aid Package, But Still No BudgetThe North Carolina legislature wrapped up the chief portion of its annual session Thursday, passing another Hurricane Helene aid package this week after Republican majorities pushed through divisive bills.
›
Comments on Chapelboro are moderated according to our Community Guidelines