Industry veterans in Republican runoff for insurance commissioner

Longtime insurance professionals from Owasso and Inola will face off in the Aug. 25 runoff election as Republican candidates for state insurance commissioner.

Between them, Marty Quinn and Bob Sullivan have more than six decades of experience in the insurance industry. In their campaigns, both have said they would put Oklahomans and lowering insurance costs at the heart of their agendas if elected.

Reports that average insurance premium costs paid by Oklahomans are among the highest in the nation along with numerous lawsuits filed alleging that insurance companies have unfairly denied or underpaid legitimate claims have made insurance a hot button political issue in the state. During the last legislative session, state lawmakers debated strategies for bringing costs down but didn't succeed in passing major reforms.

On his website, Quinn said he would recruit quality carriers to promote more competition and would work to prevent insurers from unfairly raising rates or delaying or denying payment on claims. Additionally, he said he would demand more transparency from providers in their books, "so Oklahomans can see exactly where their premium dollars go."

"I'm running for insurance commissioner because premiums are too high and consumers are being left behind," he said.

Quinn said he would also support common-sense legal reforms to curb lawsuit abuse, which could further help to bring down the costs Oklahomans pay for insurance.

Sullivan, who identifies as the "fighter big insurance doesn't want," said he would stand up to lobbyists and politicians who may put their own interests ahead of the interests of ordinary Oklahomans. On his website, he said he would call out price-gouging, expose the "slow-walking" of claims and restore competition to cut consumer costs.

"I didn't get into this race to keep the status-quo. I got in because Oklahoma families are getting crushed and our businesses are being held back," Sullivan said.

Quinn, who lives in Owasso, started his career as a local agent in Claremore. He said he worked for more than 40 years helping families and businesses to navigate insurance protection. Elected to the state Legislature in 2010, he eventually served as chairman of the Senate Insurance Committee.

Sullivan, from Inola, who identifies as a certified insurance counselor, risk manager, chartered property and casualty underwriter, and associate in fidelity and surety bonding, said he has spent two decades protecting Oklahoma families and small businesses.

The winner of the Republican runoff will face Democrat Craig MacIntyre, who ran unopposed in the primary, in the Nov. 3 general election.

The winner in the general election will replace Glen Mulready, who was term limited and did not seek re-election.