To help inform voters about the Nov. 5, 2024, election, this candidate questionnaire is available to be republished by local publications in North Carolina without any cost. Please consider subscribing to The News & Observer to help make this coverage possible.
Name: Mike Causey
Political party: Republican
Age as of Nov. 5, 2024: 74
Campaign website: mikecauseync.com
Current occupation: NC Commissioner of Insurance
Professional experience: NC Insurance Commissioner, NC State Fire Marshal
Education: BS Business Administration, AAS Civil Engineering Technology
Please list any notable government or civic involvement . NC Council of State, State Fire Marshal, Commissioner of Insurance, Keep NC Beautiful, Alamance Community Lions Club, Hornet’s Nest Kiwanis Club, Guilford County Agricultural Advisory Board, Guilford County Environmental Review Board, Adopt A Highway Coordinator NCDOT
What would be your top priority if elected?
Protecting consumers by maintaining a viable insurance market with more competition and more choices. Fighting insurance fraud and prosecuting violators to hold down insurance costs. Continue to be responsive and accountable to consumers and helping seniors with Medicare and prescription drug issues.
What percentage raises should your state agency’s employees receive in the next state budget?
A specific dollar amount would be more helpful to state employees at the lower end of the pay scale. The amount or percentage will depend on legislative priorities and the state budget. I will advocate for increased pay to make sure state employees’ salaries compete or beat the private sector.
Will you attend all Council of State meetings?
Yes.
How will you work with the other nine members of the council, including the governor?
In a collaborative manner as I have done for the past eight years.
Lawmakers recently made the Office of the State Fire Marshal a separate position from the Insurance Commissioner. Do you agree with that change? Why or why not?
No. It is not good for consumers and takes away the oversight responsibilities over the Office State Fire Marshal that have been in place since OSFM was created. The separation causes a disconnect between DOI and the fire service in this state. An ill-conceived idea that could be made better with legislative action.
How should the insurance commissioner negotiate insurance rate increases and what level of input should the public have on those decisions?
By following state law under Chapter 58 and the rate making process as required by the General Assembly since 1977. As Commissioner of Insurance, I have represented consumers well and said “No” to every rate hike request before me during my tenure. Have negotiated settlements as close to zero as possible.
How will you investigate insurance fraud cases and discipline perpetrators?
Following state law as we are currently doing through the Fraud Control Group- Criminal Investigation Division at the NC Department of Insurance. DOI is aggressively fighting and investigating insurance fraud and getting felony convictions in record numbers.
Is there an issue on which you disagree with your party? What is your position on that issue?
Yes, State Fire Marshal issue and building inspection issue. I support the elected insurance commissioner having oversight of Office of State Fire Marshal and the Department of Insurance. I support more resilient building and fortified roofs in our coastal counties by strengthening state building codes.
Under the Dome
Get the latest news about North Carolina politics from The News & Observer's award-winning team. Get the free digest sent to your inbox by signing up here .
Local News
Comments / 0