Best’s News & Research Service - April 10, 2026 03:22 PM (EDT)
Five Vying to Succeed Term-Limited Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner
OKLAHOMA CITY //BestWire// - A group of four Republicans and a Democrat are running to succeed Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready, who has reached his term limit.
Craig MacIntyre, the sole Democrat candidate, has worked in the insurance world off and on since 1993, primarily on the carrier side in actuarial, product development, risk management, and legislative and government relations, he said in an email.
MacIntyre said he began toying with the idea of running for commissioner nine months ago but initially dismissed the idea due to time and family constraints. That changed as the candidate filing deadline approached and no Democrat or independent candidate had entered the race.
“In a state where half of the population is not registered as a Republican, that meant half of the registered voters in Oklahoma would have no say in the future of this office and to the point, the direction of insurance regulation and oversight at a time when this industry is in crisis,” MacIntyre said.
The two biggest issues facing Oklahoma’s insurance sector are affordability and capacity, MacIntyre said.
“While there has been much made in the news regarding claims practices of insurance companies, and this is an incredibly important issue, we are fast approaching a time where homeownership, the ability to drive, to afford medical care and even business' ability to continue to operate in Oklahoma will be in serious jeopardy,” he said. “We need a new approach to not only protect consumers and regulate premiums, but to also enable companies to operate within Oklahoma without risk of failing.”
Republican candidate Chris Merideth has spent his career inside the insurance ecosystem — ranging from operations, agency and public policy — and has seen firsthand where the system works and where it is breaking down for consumers, agents and carriers, he said in an email.
“Oklahoma is at a critical point, and I believe it requires leadership grounded in real industry experience, not just theory or politics,” Merideth said.
The challenges in Oklahoma’s market are multifaceted and include structural pressures, increasing frequency and severity of catastrophes, growing reinsurance costs, litigation trends and inefficiencies within claims and repair ecosystems, Merideth said.
“Where I believe I offer a different perspective is in understanding that effective regulation is not about choosing sides. It's about making a market function properly,” Merideth said. “Too often, discussions around insurance become oversimplified, focusing on one segment of the industry rather than addressing the full system.”
If elected, he would focus on mitigation and resiliency strategies with the aim of reducing losses and improving affordability long term, Merideth said. He would also prioritize competition by ensuring oversight allows for rate adequacy while protecting consumers and systemwide accountability.
As cost pressures are coming from multiple sources, transparency and accountability across the entire system — from underwriting and claims to post lost activity — is needed to reduce costs and restore trust.
Republican candidate Bob Sullivan would also bring an insurance background to the commissioner role as he is certified as an insurance counselor and risk manager, a chartered property/casualty underwriter and an associate in fidelity and surety bonding, according to his campaign website.
Sullivan has seen carriers leave the state, leaving in entire industries with only one insurer option and higher home insurance rates, his campaign site said. He is running to restore competition, reduce costs and improve the claims experience.
“Our goal is simple: make Oklahoma one of the best states in America for affordable, reliable insurance — where families can protect what they’ve built and businesses can grow without being punished by premiums,” Sullivan said in a campaign statement.
Continuing the industry experience trend, Republican candidate Greta Shuler has a background in insurance sales and business management, according to her campaign website. She has also served as a councilwoman on the local level.
If elected, her focus would be on rate fairness and transparency, consumer education and advocacy, price optimization, community partnerships and disaster preparedness.
Marty Quinn previously served in both chambers of Oklahoma’s Legislature and held the role of chairman of the Senate Insurance Committee, according to his campaign website. The Republican candidate also has private-sector experience, having spent more than 40 years growing a local insurance agency.
If elected, he would also focus on ways to drive competition, improve transparency and accountability and improve claims processes. Quinn would also work to stop insurers from dropping homeowners policies due to roof age or a single claim, the campaign website said. Quinn also champions tort reform.
Attempts to gain further comment from Quinn, Shuler and Sullivan were unsuccessful.
Oklahoma hosts its primary on June 16 and, if necessary, a primary runoff will take place Aug. 25. The general election will be held Nov. 3.
The winning candidate will succeed Mulready, who was first elected in 2018 and reelected in 2022 (BestWire, July 1, 2022). Prior to serving as commissioner, Mulready was a state House majority leader and an insurance industry professional.
(By Steve Hallo, senior associate editor, BestWire: Steve.Hallo@ambest.com)