Best’s News & Research Service - May 14, 2025 02:08 PM (EDT)
Kansas House Speaker Running for Insurance Commissioner
WICHITA, Kan. //BestWire// - Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Republican from District 100, is running for state insurance commissioner, becoming the first person to launch a bid for the role as the current commissioner hints at a run for governor.
Dan HawkinsA state representative since 2013, Hawkins said he has prioritized cost-of-living issues during his tenure and touted his work to the eliminate income tax on Social Security, abolish the state-collected property taxes and reduce income taxes.
In addition to serving as House Speaker, Hawkins served two terms as House Majority Leader and two terms chairing the Health and Human Services Committee.
Away from public service, which included serving in the Kansas National Guard, Hawkins has spent 30 years working in the insurance industry and specializes in employee benefits.
It was this industry experience that drove him to run for commissioner as he was considering his future in politics, Hawkins said.
"My goals for the insurance department are simple: Create a competitive insurance environment in our state that will lower costs for everyone and ensure that insurance issues are easy to navigate for everyday Kansans," Hawkins said in a statement. "No Kansan should be wrongly denied coverage."
Aligning himself with President Donald Trump's strongman persona, Hawkins said if elected he would make life miserable for insurance companies that break the law, likening it to a federal government crackdown on foreign cartels.
While Hawkins announced his bid, it is uncertain if he will face current Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt, who told BestWire a gubernatorial campaign could be in the works.
Without tipping her hand, Schmidt said in an email she loves her job as commissioner and is proud of the more than $146 million that has been returned to Kansas consumers during her tenure.
"But as I have said before, I cannot go to the grocery store without someone asking me if I will run for governor," Schmidt said. "So, it is something I am considering. Until then, I am going to continue serving the people of Kansas by finding efficiencies, reducing costs and returning dollars to Kansans — just as I have always done."
If she seeks higher office in 2026, Schmidt would not be the only insurance commissioner in the country to do so. Georgia Insurance Commissioner John King recently announced his run for one of the state's U.S. Senate seats (BestWire, May 12, 2025).
(By Steve Hallo, senior associate editor, BestWire: Steve.Hallo@ambest.com)