NEWS RELEASE

Posted: May 27, 2003

STEWART: RACE FOR INSURANCE COMMISSIONER 

Karen Weldin Stewart, the 2000 Democratic candidate for insurance commissioner, announced that she will run again in 2004. 

“My committee has been meeting to evaluate whether I should make a second bid for the office in 2004.  After being approached from people of all different sectors, I decided to enter the 2004 race,” Stewart said. 

A formal announcement will come later. 

"Four years ago when I decided to run, my decision was based on the total non-responsiveness and lack of initiative of the Delaware Insurance Department. Between elections, the incumbent commissioner disappears, and the industry seems to run the office. The situation has not improved since 2000, and if anything, it's gotten worse,” Stewart said. 

Stewart pointed to the lack of any initiative to control costs of insurance and the availability of insurance. "In a worsening economy, thousands of people face the loss of their jobs. There have been no attempts from the Delaware Insurance Department to address the lack of affordable health insurance for the self employed, non-employed and senior citizens. Hoping that someone else will solve the problem is the policy of the current commissioner.  The citizens of Delaware need a commissioner who will do the work required to control spiraling auto insurance costs, health costs and availability." 

Stewart is president of a consulting company that provides expert assistance to insurance regulators in the field of impaired or insolvent insurers. She lost to the incumbent in 2000 by a narrow margin. 

Stewart is looking forward to a rematch. "I see the needs of Delaware citizens for an insurance commissioner who truly represents them and wants to make a real difference,” she said.

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