Democrat, more cautious about a new public insurance program

Ben Allen

Democratic

Verified · Oct 3, 2026

In the official voter guide he says he would not create an untested large-scale public system that puts taxpayers on the hook. He wants more insurance options and lower rates. That statement is not tied to the health-care question.

The other insurance-commissioner candidate. His voter-guide statement rejects a large new public system and prefers more private options. It is the contrast with Kim, and it is not scored as a health-care position.

Sourced positions

One sourced statement

When home insurance costs rise because of wildfire risk, what should the state do first?

Source only

His voter-guide statement rejects an untested large-scale public system that would put the state and taxpayers on the hook. He says he wants more insurance options and lower rates without gambling the state’s finances.

“Instead of creating an untested large-scale system that puts the state and you the taxpayer on the hook, I believe in a proven, practical path that adds insurance options and lowers rates, without gambling our state’s finances.”

California Secretary of State, Official Voter Information Guide for the November 3, 2026 General Election, certified August 10, 20262026-08-10Saved copy Verified · Oct 3, 2026

Comparison

No sourced position

When the state pays for something meant to last for decades, like housing or a research lab, how should it pay?
In a year when the state collects more money than expected, what should come first?
When the state needs more tax money, where should more of it come from?
How many voters should have to agree before a new local tax can pass?
Should public money be used to help pay for candidates' election campaigns?
When setting voting rules, which should come first?
When a new project such as housing, a road, a warehouse or a power line is proposed, which should come first?
Should the state borrow $11.25 billion for veterans and affordable housing, repaid over many years?
Should the state be required to keep larger budget reserves, and to keep making extra payments on its debts for more years?
A higher income-tax rate on high earners has been in place since 2012 and is set to end in 2031. What do you want?
Should state and local governments be allowed to create programs that use public money, within set limits, to help pay for candidates' campaigns?
After a recall removes a state official, how should the replacement be chosen?
Should the state create a new home-buying help program, paid for by up to $25 billion in bonds that homebuyers repay through their loan payments?
Should the state borrow $8.4 billion for medical research on the immune system (immunology and immunotherapy) at California universities and research institutes?
Should voters have to show government-issued identification in person, or write part of an ID number on a mail ballot envelope, to confirm who they are?
Should the state collect a one-time tax from billionaires equal to 5 percent of their wealth?
Should new state taxes be barred from exempting their revenue from the voter-approved state spending limit (cancelling any such tax passed after January 1, 2026), and should the State Auditor review programs paid for by new special taxes, both before a citizen-proposed one goes on the ballot and regularly afterward?
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Should certain new local taxes need two-thirds of voters to pass, instead of more than half?
Should certain private nonprofit health clinics have to spend at least 90 percent of their yearly revenue on health care services?
For certain kinds of projects, including most housing, transportation, water and health projects, should applicants have the option of new procedures that tighten time limits, change parts of the environmental review process, and narrow what courts can consider in challenges?
If the state has to choose, which should it do?
How should California law treat abortion?
Should the state set firm deadlines for California to stop using oil and gas?
Should families be able to use public education funding at a school the family picks, including a private or religious school?
In girls' and women's school sports, who should be able to compete?

Ben Allen

Sourced positions

When home insurance costs rise because of wildfire risk, what should the state do first?

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