Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler will not run for re-election

A second Washington state official announced this week that this will be their final term in office. On Monday, Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler said he will not run for re-election.

In a statement, Kreidler did not specify a reason for his departure.

“Serving alongside you as Insurance Commissioner for Washington state has been, and continues to be, the greatest honor of my life,” Kreidler said in a statement. “I’ve always said it was the best job I’ve ever had, and I still feel that way today."

Kreidler entered the role as head of Washington's insurance regulation in 2000, and has campaigned to keep the job ever since. He is currently serving his sixth term. Washington is among only 11 states with insurance commissioners.

As commissioner, Kreidler has advocated for protecting low-income residents seeking insurance. He also tried, but failed, to end the use of credit scores as a qualification for insurance.

His time in office was not without controversy. Last year, Gov. Jay Inslee and the state's Democratic Party asked Kreidler to resign, following complaints about his alleged mistreatment of staff and reported use of racist slurs in the office. Kreidler decided to fire a legislative liaison who had complained about his behavior.

On Monday, Gov. Inslee announced his decision not to run for re-election.