California insurance commissioner race sees record PAC spending

Political action committees (PACs) have contributed more than $6 million to the California insurance commissioner race, marking a record high for the position. While both Democratic candidates, State Sen. Ben Allen and Jane Kim, have pledged not to accept direct campaign donations from the insurance industry, independent expenditures from super PACs have bypassed these promises.

Records indicate that PACs have spent approximately $3.2 million to support Ben Allen and over $1.5 million to oppose Jane Kim. Recent donations to committees supporting Allen include funds from bail bonds insurers and a $48,000 contribution from a health insurance PAC. Under the Citizens United Supreme Court decision, these outside groups can spend unlimited amounts on independent expenditures as long as they do not coordinate with the official campaigns.