Article Summary –
In the upcoming primary election for the Montana state auditor position, attorney-turned-politician James Brown and police officer-turned-insurance salesman John Jay Willoughby are leading contenders. Brown, who is leaving his second term on Montana’s utility board, asserts his small business and regulatory experience will make him a highly effective state auditor from day one. Willoughby, meanwhile, stresses his firsthand experience of the hardships created by insurance rate increases and proposes stricter oversight of insurance companies and expanding the pool of insurers for homeowners.
Montana State Auditor Race: A Look at the Candidates
The upcoming primary election will decide who becomes Montana’s top consumer watchdog, with a retired attorney and ex-police officer in the running. The Montana state auditor regulates insurance companies, investigates financial fraud, and leads consumer education and protection initiatives. Notable former auditors include Matt Rosendale and Troy Downing, both Republicans who successfully transitioned to Congress.
James Brown, a property owner and Republican declining a second term on Montana’s utility board, is bidding for the auditor role. He believes his small business expertise will make him an effective state auditor.
Republican John Jay Willoughby, an insurance salesman, is the other primary candidate. Willoughby emphasizes consumers need representation by someone focused on the role’s responsibilities, not political ambitions.
The primary winner will face John Repke, a retired businessman running unopposed in the Democratic primary. The victor will manage a $10M budget, 72 employees, and join the Montana Land Board.
With political experience, Brown is considered the frontrunner. When announcing his bid, he highlighted his knowledge of the agency’s work and proven leadership abilities. Brown wishes to raise public awareness about the office, attract new insurers to Montana, and ensure insurance access for high wildfire risk residents.
Brown suggests that a conducive regulatory environment will prevent insurance companies from leaving the state. He also wishes to explore incentives for property owners to mitigate wildfire risk.
Before selling insurance, Willoughby worked as a bail bondsman and law enforcement officer. He expresses frustration with the struggles experienced by clients due to political mismanagement of the auditor’s office. He believes stricter oversight of insurance rate increases and expanding insurer options can alleviate hardships.
Willoughby suggests a “Montana model” for wildfire risk mapping and increased exposure of fraudsters to protect consumers. He proposes a working group of diverse insurance agents to brainstorm ways to make Montana business-friendly.
Willoughby specifies potential regulatory revisions, including insurance for motorcycle owners and state limits on auto liability insurance.
The primary election is on June 4.
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