WASHINGTON BUREAU–A Republican runoff in Oklahoma this week has set the stage for a colorful race for state insurance commissioner between the state's first woman commissioner and a Republican who is challenging the constitutionality of the healthcare law.
The Republican challenger is John Doak, who Tuesday won the GOP runoff, securing more than 71% of the vote against former insurance commissioner John Crawford.
Doak is opposing Kim Holland, who was elected in November 2006, after having been appointed by Gov. Brad Henry in January 2005 to fill an unexpired term.
Holland also serves as secretary-treasurer for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and formerly as NAIC Midwest zone chair. She is also a part of the NAIC task force working to implement the healthcare reform law.
Doak, who calls himself "Okie Doak," has served as an agent for Farmers Insurance and State Farm Insurance. He also has served in executive positions with Marsh Inc., New York; and Aon Risk Services Inc., a unit of Aon Corp., Chicago.
