Report: Texas Insurance Commissioner Stepping Down

Texas Insurance Commissioner Eleanor Kitzman says she’s steeping down as head of the state’s insurance regulatory agency.

The Austin American Statesman reported that Kitzman told her staff the previous day she was leaving her post.

The legislative session ended May 27. Kitzman can’t continue past that date because her appointment by Gov. Rick Perry wasn’t confirmed by the state Senate.

Perry appointed Kitzman in 2011, during the interim between legislative sessions held every two years. Her confirmation required a two-thirds Senate vote.

Kitzman was criticized by Democratic lawmakers, but also some Republicans.

Her critics claimed she was too close to the insurance industry – though some of their complaints could be traced to clashes in windstorm insurance cases between Kitzman and trial lawyers who are also major political donors.