Insurance Commissioner makes stop in Goldsboro
By Steve Herring
Published in News on June 30, 2016 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
State Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin talks about why he is running for reelection as he stumps in Goldsboro Tuesday.
N.C. Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin says voters should consider him for another term in office because he works for them and that unlike his opponent, he has no ties to the insurance industry.
Goodwin, who is seeking his third term, stumped through Goldsboro Tuesday with stops at Wilber's Barbecue for lunch, a reception at the home of former state legislator Phil Baddour and an appearance before the Democratic Women of Wayne County.
A Democrat, Goodwin is facing Republican Mike Causey, a Guilford County insurance agent and insurance agency owner, in the November general election.
Goodwin, a former state legislator, was first elected in November 2008, the first new commissioner of insurance in 24 years.
Goodwin said since taking office in 2009 he has ordered insurance rate cuts, rate freezes, rebates, refunds and restitution that have saved North Carolinians more than $2.4 billion.
Also under his watch, criminal investigators have made more than 1,500 arrests for insurance-related crimes, resulting in $72 million in restitution and recoveries for victims, he said.
It is a job Goodwin said he wants to continue.
"I am the only person in this race who has a proven record in fighting for consumers," Goodwin said. "I am the only person in this race who has held elected office. I am the only person in this race who has saved North Carolinians more than two and a half billion dollars. I am the only person in this race who has ordered rate cuts and ordered refunds and rebates. I am the only person in this race who has fought insurance fraud.
"I am also the only person in this race who is not tied to the insurance industry. My opponent and I combated four years ago. He also now has run five times for the same office. I think it is important to note whereas he worked for the insurance industry, and was an insurance executive, and was a paid registered lobbyist for the insurance folks -- I work for nobody but the people."
Goodwin said as a private attorney he had fought for people, families and businesses that were harmed and who needed the insurance companies to cover their losses.
"I fight to save money and to be fair to all concerned," he said.
He said that as a legislator for eight years he had fought for the health care bill of rights and also for the right of injured people to be made whole. That including fighting insurance companies that were trying "to squeeze" people's pocketbooks as hard they could, he said.
Goodwin said that while it is an election year he has not slowed down his work pace.
"That is my record," he said. "I am very pleased with it, but I want to do better. I don't think we should risk someone who is untested in this office. I don't think that we should risk someone who has been tied to the insurance industry in this office."
Goodwin said the causes put forth by his opponent are the same one he has put forth in every previous race since 1992.
Goodwin said one pending issue is a ruling from the N.C. Court of Appeals on his decision to reject homeowners insurance rate increases.
The companies had wanted to raise rates across the state by 25 percent. However, because of the way the law is written, the increase would have been even more in counties east of Interstate 95, he said.
A hearing was held and public comments accepted, he said.
"I determined that the evidence did not support such an action," he said. "That decision rejecting those homeowners increases is in the courts. When it rules, it could be appealed, but eventually it goes back to the insurance commissioner.
"If you have someone who has been a part of the insurance industry, one would be reasonably concerned that a future decision may go a different way. That is on my radar."
Along with regulating rates, the agency regulates insurance companies and agents, premium finance companies and bail bondsmen and provides Medicare education statewide.
Also, as insurance commissioner, Goodwin serves as the state fire marshal. People often question that connection, but there is a natural connection, he said.
"Guess who has a vested interest when your house catches fire, or there has been an explosion or something has happened to your car -- the insurance industry," he said. "Many of the fire departments in the state receive funding directly or indirectly from insurance companies through grants or other means.
"I distribute $10 million to volunteer fire departments every year across the state that comes from a special fee , or surcharge, that insurance companies pay to do business here."
A native of Hamlet, Goodwin was the first Morehead Scholar and William Randolph Hearst/U.S. Senate Scholar from Richmond Senior High and attended Governor's School in mathematics.
Goodwin graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with honors in political science. He received his law degree from the UNC School of Law, working at the Institute of Government during his studies. Returning to his native Richmond County, he worked in private legal practice for 13 years and started three successful small businesses.
In 1996, he was elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives and represented Richmond, Scotland, Montgomery and Stanly counties for four terms.
Goodwin was appointed assistant commissioner of insurance and assistant state fire marshal for North Carolina in 2005, before being elected insurance commissioner in 2008.
During his professional and political careers, Goodwin has received many accolades and awards. Among them are the A+ Legislator Award from the N.C. Association of Educators; the Leadership in Government Award from N.C. Common Cause; the Jim Long Award from the Seniors Health Insurance Information Program; and, the Defender of Justice Award from the N.C. Justice Center.
Goodwin has also served as vice chairman of Southeast Zone of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and the chairman of various consumer protection-related committees on the national level.
He and his wife, Melanie, live in Raleigh with their children, Madison and Jackson.