Dinah Sykes, Democrat

Tell us about yourself.

I have served Kansas as a state senator since 2017. I am the first woman to be elected Minority Leader of the Senate and have served in this role since 2020. I work every day to bring common sense solutions to everyday Kansans. Throughout my legislative career, I have focused on bipartisan solutions that improve people’s lives, including lowering health care costs, increasing accountability for insurance companies, and expanding access to mental health services. I believe Kansans deserve an Insurance Commissioner who understands both policy and the real-world impact insurance decisions have on families, businesses, and communities. My work has consistently been centered on fairness, transparency, and responsible oversight, and I am committed to bringing that same approach to this office.

What do you believe are the three most important issues you would face if elected and what is your position on each?

1. Consumer Protection Kansans deserve clear, fair, and transparent insurance practices. I support stronger oversight to ensure companies are financially solvent, follow the law, treat consumers fairly, and resolve claims promptly.

2. Health Care Affordability and Access Insurance plays a major role in whether families can access needed care. I support policies that reduce surprise billing, improve mental health coverage, and ensure plans meet essential standards.

3. Accountability and Transparency in the Insurance Market The Insurance Commissioner must provide clear information to consumers and hold companies accountable. I support modernizing reporting systems, improving public access to data, and ensuring regulatory decisions are transparent and evidence-based.

If elected, what are two things you would like to accomplish within the first year of your term?

My top priorities as Insurance Commissioner are: (1) strong consumer protection and accountability for insurers and,(2) improving access, clarity, and affordability in insurance,

The Department of Insurance has solid systems in place to support these goals.

To strengthen consumer protection, I will ensure complaints are addressed quickly, enforcement actions are transparent, and insurers are held accountable when they fail Kansans. To improve access and clarity, I will expand consumer-education tools, simplify communication, and work with insurers and providers to reduce unnecessary administrative barriers that drive up costs. And to deliver practical, bipartisan leadership, I will collaborate with legislators, agency staff, and stakeholders across the insurance market to identify problems early and implement solutions grounded in data, transparency, and fairness.

Throughout my legislative career, I’ve worked to protect Kansans from unfair practices by insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers, and I will bring that same commitment to this office.

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

My legislative experience, bipartisan approach, and long-standing commitment to consumer protection uniquely prepare me for this role. I have worked directly on insurance-related legislation, collaborated with stakeholders across the state, and consistently focused on practical solutions that improve affordability and access. I understand how insurance decisions affect families, small businesses, and health care providers, and I have a proven record of advancing policies that increase fairness and transparency. I also have not taken a penny from the companies that I will be regulating because Kansans should not question who the Insurance Commissioner is working for.

Why should voters elect you?

I bring experience, accountability, and a clear commitment to protecting Kansas consumers. My work in the Senate demonstrates my focus on transparency, fairness, and responsible oversight — all essential qualities for the Insurance Commissioner. I will ensure Kansans have access to clear information, strong consumer protections, and a regulatory system that works for families and businesses. I am prepared to serve with integrity and a steady focus on what benefits Kansans most.

Daniel Hawkins, Republican

The Sabetha Herald contacted Daniel Hawkins, but he did not respond in the time allowed or within the word limit guidelines.

Ric Koehn, Libertarian

The Sabetha Herald contacted Ric Koehn, but he did not respond in the time allowed or within the word limit guidelines.