Republican insurance commissioner candidate Marty Quinn has declined an invitation to participate in a debate with opponent Bob Sullivan proposed in partnership by NonDoc and Griffin Media ahead of Oklahoma’s Aug. 25 runoff election.
During a June 8 debate co-hosted by NonDoc and Griffin Media, the four-candidate GOP primary field was asked asked whether they would participate in another debate if they advanced to the runoff. All four candidates raised their hands in agreement, though Quinn asked, “Who’s doing them?” Upon being told the same two news organizations and moderators would host, Quinn agreed.
Nearly two months later, however, a spokesman for Quinn said the former senator would not have time for a debate in his schedule.
Sullivan advanced from the June 16 primary with 37.37 support (137,366 votes), followed by Quinn at 27.68 percent (101,755 votes). Chris Meredith, who has endorsed Quinn, and Greta Shuler finished in third and fourth place. Whoever wins the Aug. 25 runoff will face Democrat Craig McIntyre in the November general election.
Rates, litigation and laws spark interest
Often an overlooked statewide post, Oklahoma’s race for insurance commissioner has taken on unusual significance this cycle. Incumbent two-term Commissioner Glen Mulready could not seek reelection, but rising insurance premiums, high-profile litigation and a new state law expanding the commissioner’s power have amplified interest in the race.
This session, the Oklahoma Legislature passed HB 3781, which grants the next insurance commissioner greater authority to disapprove insurance rates found to be excessive. With Oklahomans currently paying the fourth-highest property insurance rates in the country — an average premium of roughly $4,700 annually, more than double the national average — Mulready recently relented to the requests of Sullivan and Attorney General Gentner Drummond to hold a hearing on whether the state homeowner insurance market is adequately competitive. The Sept. 14 hearing is set to be held after the runoff election but before the general.
At the June 8 primary debate, Quinn and Sullivan clashed over the direction of the office and their ties to outside interests. Quinn accused Sullivan of using the question of whether Oklahoma’s home insurance market is competitive as a political tool during an election cycle, stopping short of naming him directly.
“Using this as a political ploy inside of an election cycle only benefits one candidate,” Quinn said at the time.
Sullivan, who has received support from attorneys, including one involved in cases against State Farm, fired back that Quinn’s defense of Mulready’s decision — at the time — not to hold a competitiveness hearing was “to the detriment of Oklahomans” and the benefit of insurers.
Both candidates said at the June 8 debate that they supported HB 3781 and that actively working to lower insurance premiums would be a top priority if elected.
Watch the June 8 GOP primary debate
