Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Republican from Wichita, has thrown his hat into the ring for the position of Kansas insurance commissioner. Hawkins, who has been serving in the Kansas House since 2013 and became speaker in 2023, announced his candidacy on May 13.
With a background in the insurance industry, Hawkins aims to bring his experience to the role to reduce insurance costs for Kansans. His campaign focuses on increasing competition among insurance providers, ensuring that consumers are not unfairly denied coverage, and maintaining a user-friendly insurance system.
Campaign Priorities
Hawkins has highlighted his legislative achievements, including abolishing food sales taxes, eliminating state property taxes, and reducing income taxes. He also emphasizes his commitment to aligning with the policies of former President Donald Trump.
“Just like President Trump has made it his mission to make life miserable for foreign cartels, it will be my job as Insurance Commissioner to do the same for any insurance company that does not follow the law,” Hawkins stated in his announcement.
The current Insurance Commissioner, Vicki Schmidt, a fellow Republican, was re-elected in 2022 with the highest percentage of votes among statewide candidates. However, Hawkins is the first to announce a challenge for the 2026 election.
As of now, Hawkins is the only candidate to have filed for the insurance commissioner position in the 2026 elections. His campaign promises to bring a fresh perspective to the role, leveraging his legislative experience and insurance background.
