Candidate for NC insurance commissioner, Democrat Natasha Marcus, answers our questions
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Name: Natasha Marcus
Political party: Democrat
Age as of March 5, 2024: 54
Campaign website: NatashaMarcus.com
Current occupation: Senator
Professional experience: At the start of my career, I worked as a litigation attorney with a law firm (Brooks, Pierce) and clerked for a federal judge (Middle District of North Carolina) in Greensboro. For some of the years my children were young, I was a stay-home mom and school volunteer. Then I worked for a nonprofit community service center. For the past five years, I’ve been a North Carolina State Senator, representing the people of District 41 (Mecklenburg County), serving on several committees including Commerce & Insurance and holding caucus leadership roles.
Education: Hamilton College, B.S., Public Policy; Duke University School of Law, J.D.
What offices have you run for or held before? Have you had any other notable government or civic involvement? I am currently in my third term in the state Senate, serving on several committees including Commerce & Insurance. I ran for state House and was a member of the Town of Davidson’s Advisory Committee on Greenways, Trailways & Bikeways. Over the past 20-plus years, I’ve volunteered to register voters, assist voters at the polls, and encourage voter participation, volunteered at a local community service center, at public schools and as a foster parent with animal rescue groups.
What do you think is the biggest issue in North Carolina that you would be able to shape if elected?
Insurance prices are rising faster than inflation. The people need a commissioner of insurance who will provide transparency in the rate-setting process and demand that rates don’t go up one penny more than necessary. The current commissioner’s time in office has been marked by a lack of transparency, failure to host public hearings to justify rate increases, and an unprecedented number of rate hikes. I will return transparency and accountability, like we had under the previous commissioners.
What do you think is or is not working well under the current office holder? If not, how would you change it?
Current Commissioner Mike Causey lost the respect of homeowners when he didn’t even attend the public comment forum to hear the reactions to the proposed 42%-average homeowner’s rate increase. He lost the respect of firefighters when he sacked leadership at the Fire Marshal’s Office over a political fight. He lost the respect of North Carolina consumers when he agreed to 19 straight rate hikes for insurance companies without a single public hearing. North Carolina needs an insurance commissioner who respects the people she serves.
What should be done to address staff vacancies in your agency and in state government as a whole?
Morale is low and vacancies are up at the Department of Insurance due to low wages and poor leadership — not surprising given reports of the commissioner’s politically motivated use of taxpayer money for travel and make-work jobs. I’ll encourage the N.C. General Assembly to realize that market forces require more competitive pay and fair benefits at state agencies and be the kind of consumer-focused leader who inspires staff to work toward our mission of serving the people of North Carolina.
Is there an issue on which you disagree with your party? What is your position on that issue?
The commissioner of insurance job should not be politicized. Consumers don’t want politics to determine their insurance costs or which companies do business here. In the Senate I’ve voted for good Republican ideas, and I wish we could get some Republican support for good Democratic ideas too, such as efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change — a major factor in rising insurance claims and costs.
Should the insurance commissioner also hold the role of state fire marshal? Why or why not?
Historically, it made sense to combine the jobs into one position since both roles are positions of public trust and safety. Insurance and fire safety are closely connected. That said, there are good reasons to have an independent, expert firefighter as state fire marshal now. Although the timing and political motivation for the change were unfortunate, the end result seems agreeable to the firefighters I’ve spoken with, who are most impacted, and I trust their judgment.
What would be your approach to negotiating insurance rate increases with the North Carolina Rate Bureau?
I will require insurance companies to provide evidence, under oath, and subject to cross-examination to justify their rate hike requests and ensure that the DOI does our own calculations about appropriate rates. We will allow insurance companies to earn reasonable profits per North Carolina law, without going a penny higher. It’s ultimately a math question and the burden is on them to prove their case. I will ensure we maintain a vibrant marketplace so consumers have options.
