State Senator Ben Allen Leads Delegate Vote at California Democratic Convention for Insurance Commissioner Race

Santa Monica, CA – February 26, 2026 – State Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica), who represents the Westside including Santa Monica, received the highest share of delegate votes among Democratic candidates at the California Democratic Party's state convention held last weekend in San Francisco.

According to reports from the convention, Allen garnered approximately 42% (1,056 votes, or 41.7%) of the ballots cast by delegates in the race for Insurance Commissioner. Former San Francisco Supervisor Jane Kim finished a close second with about 40% (1,018 votes, or 40.2%). Former State Senator Steve Bradford received roughly 9% (221 votes, or 8.7%), and San Francisco businessman Patrick Wolff received 6% (153 votes).

No candidate reached the 60% threshold required for the California Democratic Party to issue an official endorsement in this race. The Insurance Commissioner oversees regulation of the state's insurance industry, a role that has gained heightened attention amid ongoing challenges with wildfire coverage, insurer withdrawals from high-risk areas, and consumer protections.

The top two vote-getters in the June 2, 2026, statewide primary election will advance to the general election on November 3, 2026. California's primary system is top-two, open to all voters regardless of party affiliation.

A Santa Monica native, Senator Allen is a graduate of santa monica high school (class of 1996) and previously served for ten years on the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) Board of Education, including as president. He has represented the Westside in the California State Senate since 2014, currently in his third term (previously District 26, now District 24 following redistricting). Allen, an attorney, earned his undergraduate degree from Harvard University, a master's from the University of Cambridge, and his law degree from UC Berkeley.

Notably, in the summer of 1999, at age 19 while an undergraduate at UC Berkeley, Allen interned at the Santa Monica Observer, gaining early experience in local journalism and community affairs.

The race for Insurance Commissioner has drawn significant interest due to recent wildfires and insurance market instability in California, particularly in fire-prone regions like parts of Los Angeles County represented by Allen. Allen has emphasized stabilizing the insurance market and protecting consumers, while Kim has proposed reforms including greater state involvement in disaster coverage.

Voters in Santa Monica and the Westside will have the opportunity to support Allen in the upcoming primary as he seeks to transition from the Legislature to this key statewide executive position.