Goodwin Elected to Succeed Long as North Carolina Commissioner

Democrat Wayne Goodwin has been elected as North Carolina’s insurance commissioner, winning the race to succeed his boss and long-time commissioner Jim Long.

With 96 percent of the precincts reporting, Goodwin had nearly 52 percent of the vote based on unofficial returns. Republican John Odom had 44 percent and Libertarian Mark McMains just under 4 percent.

In the spring when he announced he would not run for re-election, Long endorsed fellow Democrat Goodwin, his own assistant commissioner, as his successor. “He is a great advocate and is doing a great job for the state,” Long said.

The North Carolina Insurance Department currently regulates 1,400 insurance companies and 145,000 insurance agents. During his 24 years in the elected position, Long built the department up to 402 authorized personnel.

The insurance commissioner also serves as the state fire marshal and oversees numerous other industries and activities in the state, including bail bondsmen, auto clubs, the state building code and injury prevention programs.

Goodwin is a former member of the North Carolina House of Representatives, and was elected to four terms. His wife, State Rep. Melanie Wade Goodwin, succeeded him in the General Assembly.

Goodwin campaigned on his experience, noting that as assistant commissioner he was already performing many of the duties of the office. “I am the only insurance commissioner candidate ready to lead from Day One,” he said in his literature.

He refused to accept any contributions from special interests during his campaign.

Goodwin has indicated that keeping insurance rates “fair and low,” fixing coastal insurance problems and fighting insurance fraud will be his priorities.

Topics North Carolina