Former San Francisco supervisor Jane Kim has declared victory in the closely contested race to become California’s next insurance commissioner, after state Senator Ben Allen called to concede on Friday.
Kim, a Democrat, was leading fellow Democrat Allen by about 53% to 47% with roughly 65% of ballots counted, according to figures reported on Friday. The Associated Press had not yet formally projected a winner. ([cbsnews.com](https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/california-insurance-commissioner-jane-kim-ben-allen/))
Allen later confirmed that he had telephoned Kim to congratulate her. In a statement, he said: “Jane ran a strong race, and it appears that she has won. Assuming that is the case, I desperately want her to succeed, because if she succeeds, the state succeeds – especially the families in need that we’ve been fighting for across the state.” ([calmatters.org](https://calmatters.org/politics/2026/11/california-election-2026-insurance-commissioner/))
The result would make Kim the first woman and Asian American to hold the elected office since it was created in 1988. She will succeed Ricardo Lara, who is barred from seeking another term because of term limits. ([cbsnews.com](https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/california-insurance-commissioner-jane-kim-ben-allen/))
Kim’s campaign focused heavily on California’s worsening home-insurance crisis and her proposal for a publicly backed disaster-insurance programme covering risks including wildfires. Allen had argued instead for reforming the existing insurance market.
The insurance commissioner leads California’s Department of Insurance, which regulates insurers, enforces state insurance law and handles consumer complaints. The result will remain unofficial while ballots are counted; county officials have until December 3 to complete their canvass, with the state’s results due to be certified on December 11. ([sos.ca.gov](https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/general-election-november-3-2026))
