Jones Wins California Insurance Commissioner Race
SACRAMENTO (AP) -- Democrat Dave Jones has been elected California's next insurance commissioner in a contest that attracted heavy independent spending by the insurance industry.
Insurance companies contributed more than $4 million to the California Chamber of Commerce JobsPAC, which in turn funded advertising favoring Republican Mike Villines and attacking Jones.
Both men are termed-out members of the state Assembly who refused direct contributions from the insurance industry they sought to regulate.
As commissioner, the 48-year-old Jones will help determine how California ushers in the new national health care law.
The office also directly affects how much consumers pay for vehicle, health and life insurance.
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