In replacing Deborah Senn as state insurance commissioner, Washington voters have a choice between two candidates who are likely to bring a quieter approach. At the same time, the Democratic and Republican candidates both are committed to continuing the cause of consumer advocacy.
Democratic candidate Mike Kreidler, a former congressman, offers voters a better choice in the race between two able candidates.
His Republican opponent is Don Davidson. Davidson has a record of public service with more than a dozen years on the Bellevue City Council and lengthy involvement with a variety of community organizations.
Both men are keenly aware of the issues facing consumers and insurance companies. And both have experience in providing health care, Davidson as a dentist and Kreidler as an optometrist.
Kreidler brings a lengthy record of intelligently addressing difficult public policy issues as a state legislator, member of Congress and a member of the Northwest Power Planning Council. More importantly, Kreidler has the advantage in terms of administrative experience. For 17 months, he was regional director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, serving as the top manager for the agency in the Northwest. He was appointed by President Clinton in July 1998, resigning at the end of the following year to run for the insurance post. His policy background and administrative experience can be put to good use in an office that has seen its share of turbulent times under Senn.
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