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Editor’s note: This article is part of an ongoing series of articles featuring both the Republican and Democratic candidates for statewide office
Georgia Insurance Commissioner John King
In June of 2019, Gov. Brian Kemp appointed John King to fill the role of Georgia’s Insurance and Fire Safety Commissioner after then-Commissioner Jim Beck was indicted on charges that he defrauded a former employer out of $2 million, spending the money on personal expenses and funding his insurance commissioner campaign. Now King is running his first campaign to keep his position.
King was actually sworn into office in December 2021 after serving as interim Commissioner while Beck awaited trial. King took office officially after Beck began a 7-year, 3-month sentence in federal prison.
A Republican, King faces challenges from his own party as well as from the Democrats. Patrick Witt and Ben Cowart will challenge King in the Republican Primary in May, and Raphael Baker, Janice Laws Robinson and Matthew Wilson are seeking the Democratic nomination in the race.
The former Doraville Police Chief, says he is running on his record and “will work around the clock to restore trust in the Department of Insurance, eliminate corruption, and advance policies that put consumers ahead of the special interests.” The three key words for his campaign are: Honor, Integrity and Service.
King was born in Mexico and raised in South Georgia. He is Georgia’s first Hispanic statewide officeholder. He says his father, a World War Two veteran, and mother taught him to work hard, be honest, and always put others first. He goes on to say on his campaign website that during his 17 years as Doraville’s Police Chief, he “tackled corruption, implemented community policing in at-risk neighborhoods, and cracked down on gang violence through early intervention programs at local schools. He enforced the law, embraced the diverse population, and partnered with local leaders to keep families and businesses out of harm’s way.
He has served as a brigadier general in the U.S. Army National Guard. He was first called up for duty during Desert Storm. Over the last 36 years, he has deployed to Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan – earning the Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, El Salvador gold medal for achievement, meritorious service medals, and a NATO award along the way. He was the
Commander of the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team – leading over 4,800 Georgians into battle. He earned his current rank of Major General in 2018.
“I don’t come from the Insurance background,” said King. “That has allowed me to take a really critical look at every function of our agency.”
