Ricardo LaraServing

Ricardo Lara

Insurance CommissionerDemocrat

CA-Lieutenant Governor Insurance Commissioner

Age 51·Mexican-American·California Insurance Commissioner (2019-present, term-limited)

Why This Race Matters

Lara is term-limited and cannot seek re-election as Insurance Commissioner in 2026. His term ends January 2027. While he has a "Ricardo Lara for Lieutenant Governor 2026" campaign committee registered, he has not formally announced any intention to run. The committee appears to be a placeholder for campaign funds.

As Insurance Commissioner, Lara has been central to California's wildfire insurance crisis response. In January 2026, he announced the Disaster Recovery Reform Act (SB 876) to speed up recovery for homeowners and renters. Nine new consumer protection laws he sponsored took effect January 1, 2026. His moratorium law has protected 4+ million homeowners from insurance non-renewals after wildfires.

About

Ricardo Lara is the 8th Insurance Commissioner of California, serving since 2019. Born in Commerce, California, and raised in East Los Angeles, he is the son of undocumented immigrants from Mexico. His father crossed a frigid canal under cover of night to reach America and worked as a factory worker; his mother worked as a seamstress. Lara was the first in his family to earn a college degree. In 2018, he made history as the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected to statewide office in California. He previously served in the State Assembly (2010-2012) and State Senate (2012-2018), where he chaired the Appropriations Committee.

Family & Heritage

Son of undocumented Mexican immigrants Venustiano (factory worker) and Dolores Lara (seamstress). Born in Commerce, California, and raised in East Los Angeles. His father crossed a deep, frigid canal under cover of a moonless night to reach America. The family lived with pervasive fear of deportation; his parents instructed him to seek refuge with relatives if they were suddenly detained. First in his family to earn a college degree. Openly gay.

Political Career

Before Politics

Communications Director for Assemblymember Kevin de Leon; Chief of Staff for Assemblymember Marco Antonio Firebaugh; District Director for Assemblymember Fabian Nunez; Los Angeles Planning Commissioner

Education

B.A. in Journalism and Spanish with minor in Chicano Studies, San Diego State University (first in family to graduate college); Harvard Kennedy School Senior Executives Program (2013, David Bohnett LGBTQ Victory Institute Leadership Fellow)

Key Issues & Priorities

*Insurance reform and consumer protection
*Wildfire resilience and disaster recovery
*Climate insurance (authored nation's first climate insurance law SB 30)
*Healthcare access for all Californians
*Immigrant rights
*LGBTQ+ equality

Suggest an Edit