Praeger to Retain Post as Kansas Insurance Commissioner

Sandy Praeger prevailed over challenger David Powell in the Aug. 3 Republican primary to secure the nomination for Kansas Insurance Commissioner. Because there are no challengers from any other party for the November election, the primary win means Praeger, the incumbent, will retain the commissioner’s post.

Praeger won 63 percent of the vote to Powell’s 37 percent, according to preliminary results posted by the Kansas Secretary of State’s office.

Powell is an insurance agent and owner of David J. Powell & Associates LLC in El Dorado. He announced his candidacy in June 2009 and was endorsed by several tea party organizations across the state, the Associated Press reported. He opposes the recently enacted federal health care mandate.

Powell sought the GOP nomination for insurance commissioner in 2002 but lost to Praeger, of Lawrence, who has held the office since winning the election that year.

Praeger has already begun implementing some portions of the health care law. She is a former president of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.