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 Goodwin, his own assistant commissioner, as his successor to the elected position. “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 time 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.
Long, a Democrat who turned 68 this year, was first elected commissioner in 1984.
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