By Jenna Abbott, Executive Director California Council for Affordable Housing
While we often don’t consider it, California’s 2026 election for Insurance Commissioner will be, arguably, one of the most consequential regulatory races for the affordable housing industry. With insurance premiums skyrocketing, carriers withdrawing from high‑risk areas, and widespread policy cancellations, affordable housing developers across the state are facing financial pressures that threaten project viability and long‑term affordability.
The Insurance Commissioner holds regulatory authority over property and casualty insurance rates, rate‑setting processes, and insurer market activity. In the past several years, escalating wildfire risk, market volatility, and insurer departures have led to significant premium spikes for affordable housing deveopers, nonrenewals in high‑risk areas including regions with deeply affordable units, and increased reliance on the FAIR Plan, which should be the insurer of last resort but is, increasingly, the only option.
For affordable housing providers, these conditions translate into millions of dollars in unexpected operating expenses, jeopardizing the financial sustainability of both existing and future developments. Insurance costs for affordable developments may not be factored in when setting rents and, therefore, directly impact long‑term affordability commitments.
Understanding how candidates plan to address the crisis, and how their policy approaches might impact multifamily and affordable housing communities, is essential. To that end, CCAH intends to engage directly with the candidates, evaluate their positions, and ensure our industry’s voice is represented. Below is a list of the top candidates in alpha order, a link to each of their websites, and a link to recent CalMatters opinion pieces by each of the five declared candidates on the state’s insurance crisis. The linked opinion pieces offer some insight into how each candidate thinks about the issues and, in some cases, offers their suggested solutions.
Ben Allen (Democrat)
Current state senator (SD 24).
“After disasters, California should ensure people recover, not be forced out”– CalMatters, January 2026
Steven Bradford (Democrat)
Former state senator.
“To fix CA insurance, be smart, honest and reasonable” – CalMatters, January 2026
Robert Howell (Republican)
Silicon Valley Businessman
“California should make insurers cover homes if they insure cars or other items” – CalMatters, January 2026
Stacy Korsgaden (Republican)
Insurance agent.
“California’s insurance crisis is pervasive but fixable” – CalMatters, January 2026
Patrick Wolff (Democrat)
Financial analyst.
“California is too easy on insurers and strangles competition” – CalMatters, January 2026
CCAH will be reaching out to each candidate to request interviews, gather written responses, and assess their positions. Given the scale of the issue, CCAH must ensure that every candidate understands how insurance instability disproportionately harms affordable housing and the communities it serves. Interviewing candidates, understanding their platforms, and advocating for solutions that preserve statewide housing stability will be central to CCAH’s policy work in 2026.We will share updates with our members as we collect more information and prepare for the June primary and November general election.