Vince White Ends Campaign for IC, Endorses Mitch Crane

Not that he had ever started his campaign by filing to run, but Vincent White has announced that he is withdrawing from the Insurance Commissioner’s Race and is endorsing Mitch Crane. This is excellent news if you want to replace Karen Weldin Stewart as Insurance Commissioner. For a crowded primary with more than 2 candidates ensures that the anti-incumbent vote is divided, and in those situations, the incumbent almost always prevails.

So that leaves Mitch Crane and Paul Gallager in the race, in addition to KWS, of course.

Here is Mr. White’s full statement:

“My sole purpose for entering the race for Insurance Commissioner was to restore the Department of Insurance to its primary purpose of serving the interests of consumers.”

“I was disheartened when the current Commissioner sought waivers from the Affordable Care Act’s requirement that at least 80 cents of every dollar paid to a health insurer, be paid out in claims. I could not believe that a Democrat would put the interests of health insurance companies before that of Delaware’s most at-risk consumers.”

“That move along with the incumbent’s approval of the merger of Delaware’s Blue Cross Blue Shield with Highmark made me realize that replacing Karen Weldin Stewart with someone who is a consumer advocate is what matters most.”

“I recognize that my staying in this race would only divide the opposition to the incumbent and improve her chances for re-election. It is for this reason that I have decided to withdraw from the race and support the candidate most qualified to serve the interests of the consumer. I am grateful for the support of so many Delawareans who stood behind my candidacy, but now I ask them to join me in helping elect Mitch Crane as our next Insurance Commissioner. Mitch and I share our vision of a Department of Insurance that protects consumers and he possesses the integrity, ability, and resolve we need from our next Insurance Commissioner”

In receiving Vincent White’s support, Mitch Crane released the following statement:

“I want to thank Vincent White for running an honorable campaign focused on protecting consumers and holding the insurance industry accountable. His decision to drop out of the race to advance these goals is a testament to Vincent’s selfless leadership. New Castle County is fortunate to have Vincent on its Ethics Commission and I am lucky to have him as a supporter. I look forward to working with Vincent and his supporters to return the Delaware Department of Insurance to an agency that puts the consumer first.”