Opinion: Nov. 2022 Election: Q&A with Robert Howell, candidate for California insurance commissioner [The San Diego Union-Tribune]

There are two candidates on the Nov. 8 ballot for a four-year term as California's insurance commissioner: Republican cybersecurity equipment manufacturer Robert Howell and Democratic incumbent Ricardo Lara. Here are the answers to a seven-question survey that The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board emailed Howell.

Q: What in your background makes you the best candidate for this job?

A: I have read the state requirements to run for this position. I meet all of the requirements. In fact, one requirement requires you need to quit your job if you are employed in the insurance industry. I would argue that having nothing to do with the insurance industry is a good thing. This position is intended for someone who represents the people of California, not the insurance industry. Non-insurance executive experience is my most valuable asset. I have been buying insurance for my home and business for over 50 years. I do have executive experience running a high-tech business in the Bay Area for almost 50 years now. I will use my skills to motivate and encourage all the 1,400 members of the commissioner's team to do their very best. While researching what has worked in the past, I have good reason to believe that Steve Poizner, another high-tech executive, was one of the best insurance commissioners this state has ever had. I believe his knowledge of the insurance industry on day one of office will be similar to mine.

Q: Assess incumbent Ricardo Lara's term as insurance commissioner and explain how your approach to the job would be different.

A: To assess Ricardo Lara's term as insurance commissioner requires only a quick search on Google or in newspapers across California. But, for some unknown reason, I now find fewer negative articles about Lara in Google searches than I did before the primary. Could it be because a Republican came in second in the June primary and is challenging him on the November ballot? In particular, look at the consumerwatchdog.org website for details. Consumer Watchdog filed a corruption lawsuit against Lara, with an opening legal brief that is more than 830 pages long. The trial is set to start Friday, unless it gets postponed.

I will do all I can to follow the letter of the law as spelled out in Proposition 103, which requires "prior approval" of California's Department of Insurance before insurance companies can implement property and casualty insurance rates. There are provisions in Proposition 103 for citizens and third parties called "intervenors" to watch over all of the actions of the insurance commissioner and his office. I will encourage and grant access to any and all documents they may request. Proposition 103 requires all insurance company rate requests be made public. I will include all supporting insurance company documents as well. This is not to say that I will not allow insurance companies to make a fair profit. I do say I will not allow them to make a killing.

Personally, I will not allow myself or anyone else in the commissioner's office to accept any gifts, of any kind, from anyone, in the insurance industry. There is no such thing as a "free lunch."

Q: How would you ensure that homeowners, only starting with those in high-risk wildfire zones, know what steps are necessary to maintain eligibility for private insurance and are treated fairly by insurance companies when seeking coverage?

A: There are two main focus points for my campaign: opening up the Insurance Commissioner's Office to the public as above and ensuring every homeowner has access to fire insurance over the entire state of California. There are many Californians whose only option for fire insurance is the FAIR Plan. My "plan" will be to visit the areas affected by wildfires and truly listen to what the people most directly impacted by wildfires have to say. Take their comments to heart. Next step, sit down with the insurance companies and hear their positions. We already have major insurance companies leaving the state in part or in total over this issue. Finally, working with the people in the commissioner's office to sort out a workable and truly fair plan for both the homeowners and the insurance companies going forward, while keeping everyone informed at every step.

On a personal note, because this is beyond the powers of this office, they say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. I would do all I can to get the state Legislature to work on upgrading and repairing power and water infrastructure. We need to upgrade our power grid to help prevent fires in the first place. But what happens when the grid shuts down with millions of new electric vehicles on the road? Now add in water projects. Having access to reliable water supplies is probably a good thing when trying to fight a fire.

Q: What would you do to ensure property owners are able to maintain insurance eligibility amid increasing wildfire, drought, sea level rise and other threats caused by the climate emergency?

A: Please see my answer above. There are additional things we can do to prevent fires in the first place that will help property owners. Start with making sure property owners have a minimum of requirements, permits and other government-controlled regulations making it difficult to prepare their properties for a fire in the first place. I am sure we will hear a number of good ideas when talking to people affected by fires. Over the years, I think Californians have been doing a great job of conserving water. Maybe it is time for the state to think about finally building a few new dams. On the sea level question, personally I would like to see the data first. But the bottom line for all of this is the Insurance Commissioner's Office has no control over any of the above. You need to talk to the state legislators.

Q: The insurance commissioner has traditionally not played a central role in health insurance policy decisions. Should that change? Why or why not?

A: The Insurance Commissioner's Office has authority over some health-related issues like workers' compensation and long-term care. The bulk of the health care insurance policies are controlled by Medi-Cal. Once in office, my personal opinions on issues are going to be overridden by the laws governing this office. The state legislators need to answer to their voters on this point. I need to answer to all Californians for any and all actions as required by law. This office cannot make laws.

Q: What is your position on Proposition 1, which would establish the rights for Californians to an abortion and to contraceptives in the state Constitution?

A: This is obviously a very controversial issue. At this point I do not think the Insurance Commissioner's Office has any control of this issue. We will need to see what the people of California have to say in November. In any event, I would abide by the laws as passed by the Legislature just as any other laws that apply to this office.

Q: Why should voters elect you over your opponent?

A: I buy insurance just like all other Californians. I will do all I can to keep the insurance companies fair and honest. Every action of the Insurance Commissioner's Office will be available for all to see.

I will not accept donations from insurance companies or people who work for one.

I am not in any insurance companies' back pocket. My opponent is.

I have never worked for an insurance company, never sold insurance or had any relationship with the insurance industry other than being a customer.

I am not a politician. I do not owe any political favors to anyone.

I have run for public office before, and was the top Republican vote winner in a 2020 state Senate race.

This is a money job. I think most people would say a Republican does a better job saving them money.

Insurance companies made a fortune on auto insurance during the COVID-19 lockdown with far less driving and far fewer accidents. I will not be afraid to ask for refund checks or at least lower rates.

Revisit some of the articles published about Lara's actions before the primary.

Lara goes on trial for alleged corruption Friday.

I believe in the principles outlined at consumerwatchdog.org and other like-minded organizations

For all you Republicans out there, I am a rock-solid fiscal conservative. And very much admire what Ronald Reagan did for all Californians in his day.

For all you Democrats out there, if you voted for Assemlymember Marc Levine, then check out electroberthowell.com. I am in agreement with many of his ideas about how to fix the current scandalous Insurance Commissioner's Office of Ricardo Lara. I ask for your vote. I am giving you a very clear choice: sunshine or scandal.

And for all you independent voters out there, I will actually do what I say I will do. I am a bit old-fashioned; I believe in honoring my obligations to the best of my ability.

To all voters out there, visit my website, electroberthowell.com and read what I stand for. Base your vote on what you believe I can do for all Californians, not on whether I have an R or a D after my name on the ballot.

This story originally appeared in San Diego Union-Tribune.

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