More Insurance Professionals Elected to Congress

By: williamjones
December 1, 2012

By: Margarita Tapia

The Big “I” takes special pride in supporting federally elected officials and candidates who have a background in the insurance industry. The association weighed in for several incumbents, challengers and open seat contestants with industry experience this election cycle through its political action committee, InsurPac, including the following new and returning members of Congress:

Rep. William Lacy Clay, Jr. (D-Mo.), a former life insurance agent, ran against fellow democrat Rep. Russ Carnahan in the primary for Missouri’s 1st Congressional District. Clay soundly won that August race and cruised to a general election victory last month. InsurPac supported Clay against Carnahan, who was a past cosponsor of Optional Federal Charter legislation that the Big “I” strongly opposes. Carnahan’s loss marks the sixth OFC cosponsor the association has helped defeat since 2010.

Scott Perry, a former p-c insurance agent, won the April primary and a general election victory in November in Pennsylvania’s 4th Congressional District with the support of the Big “I” and InsurPac. The Republican businessman will replace retiring Rep. Todd Platts (R-Pa.).

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), a former insurance commissioner, defeated his Republican challenger 55% to 42%. InsurPac supported the incumbent’s reelection campaign and is grateful for his many efforts in the Senate on natural disaster insurance considerations, amongst other important issues for the association.

Randy Weber, a licensed insurance agent, defeated former Rep. Nick Lampson (D-Texas) 54% to 45% in the open contest for the Texas 14th Congressional District seat. InsurPac endorsed and supported Weber, who will replace retiring Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas).

InsurPac also supported a handful of former insurance agents and professionals who were in less competitive contests. Among those receiving support were Reps. Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.), Scott Garrett (R-N.J.), Kay Granger (R-Texas), Jack Kingston (R-Ga.), John Larson (D-Conn.), Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-Mo.), Richard Neal (D-Mass.), Austin Scott (R-Ga.) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.).

As with every election, a handful of federally elected officials and candidates with backgrounds in the insurance industry were defeated. While disappointing, these losses are an equally important reminder that Big “I” members cannot take congressional knowledge of the industry for granted. Big “I” agents and the association’s Capitol Hill team in Washington, D.C., are a pivotal part of this process. There are many complex issues to tackle in Congress and a limited amount of time for senators and members of the House of Representatives to get up to speed on every topic.

It is vitally important to have a strong PAC to support and defend those in Congress who have firsthand knowledge of what independent insurance agents and brokers do on a daily basis, and the important role they play in the economy and in the lives of small businesses and insurance consumers. I

Margarita Tapia is Big “I” director of public affairs.

Big ‘I’ PAC Scores 84% Congressional Victory Rate

The Big “I” has always prided itself on representing individuals who understand and appreciate their civic duties and responsibilities, and this year was no different. InsurPac supported more U.S. Senate and House campaigns than ever before this campaign cycle, distributing $1,843,500 along the way.

InsurPac supported 282 races, winning 237 of them for a resilient 84% victory rate. In disbursing this money, InsurPac did not look at party affiliation; as always, it contributed to representatives, senators and candidates for federal office who are advocates of the independent agency system.

Several Big “I” friends in Congress faced tough races, and InsurPac weighed in heavily to help protect them. In Georgia, incumbent Rep. John Barrow (D-Ga.), a leader for independent agents in the health care reform battle, faced a well-funded Republican opponent. Working to protect a true advocate, InsurPac donated the maximum amount of money to Barrow’s campaign and helped him secure a 54% to 46% victory.

Similarly, in Montana, Big “I” ally and sitting senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.), a leader on agent licensing issues in Congress, faced a strong Republican challenger and claimed victory by a 49% to 45% margin. InsurPac was proud to support his campaign with the maximum amount possible. Such a strong showing in a predominately Republican state that overwhelmingly supported Gov. Mitt Romney reflects the senator’s pragmatic approach to legislating and his ability to reach across party lines.

InsurPac gave the maximum support to numerous candidates from both sides of the aisle in highly competitive races, including: Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.), and Reps. Sean Duffy (R-Wis.), Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.), Ed Perlmutter (D-Colo.), Jim Renacci (R-Ohio) and Brad Sherman (D-Calif.). These stalwarts of small business rights all won their races and will return to Congress as outspoken supporters of independent agents on a host of issues.

—M.T.