Two more candidates added to insurance commissioner auditions

The Florida Cabinet has two more potential hires to choose from when it comes to picking a new industry regulator after Thursday

Insurance News

By Lyle Adriano

The office of Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater confirmed this week that current insurance department chief of staff and former general counsel Belinda Miller and Raymond “Ray” Blacklidge, executive vice president and general counsel for American Traditions Insurance Co. in Pinellas Park, were added to the list of candidates being considered for the position of Florida’s insurance commissioner.

The two join Rep. Bill Hager, R-Delray Beach and former insurance executive and federal administrator Jeffrey Bragg, two other candidates who are embroiled in controversies.

Hager faced inquiry on soliciting business from insurance companies for his private-sector work. On the other hand, Bragg was confronted about a settled suit in has past, wherein he claimed that he had misled investors in a previous flood insurance venture.

According to a Palm Beach Post report, Governor Scott and Atwater failed to come to terms in late March as to whom to elect as the state’s new insurance commissioner. Both have to be part of a majority in the Cabinet to name a replacement for outgoing commissioner Kevin McCarty.
 

Keep up with the latest news and events

Join our mailing list, it’s free!