Ben Allen
Democratic candidate for Insurance Commissioner in California
California Insurance Commissioner winner?
$3.3K
NOV 7, 2026
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Live Odds — California Insurance Commissioner winner?
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
67%chance to win
$3.3KNOV 7, 2026Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleFormer State Senator
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age48 years old (Mar 13, 1978)
GenderMale
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LocationCalifornia
BackgroundAttorney
EducationHarvard University — B.A., History (magna cum laude)
Notable personal detailsBenjamin "Ben" Allen is an American attorney and Democratic politician who has served in the California State Senate since 2014, representing the 24th Senate District since 2022 (previously the 26th). He previously served on the Santa Monica–Malibu Unified School District Board of Education and was president of the board. Allen has also worked as an attorney and served as a lecturer at UCLA Law School. In 2026, he ran for California Insurance Commissioner.
SourcesShowHide
Political Positions
Economy & Taxes
Ben Allen has supported targeted tax credits and tax-related oversight measures rather than broad tax cuts. His legislative record includes a film and television tax credit expansion, a disaster-rebuild tax credit, and a tax oversight board aimed at increasing accountability and transparency in the tax process.
Healthcare
Ben Allen has not clearly staked out a broad healthcare ideology in the materials reviewed. His campaign language emphasizes practical insurance-market reforms rather than an untested large-scale government system, and his legislative record includes health-related measures such as expanding mental health access and improving Medi-Cal reimbursement for clinics.
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Immigration & Border
Ben Allen has publicly opposed California sanctuary-state policies and immigration benefits for people in the country illegally. His documented record also includes support for immigrant students and broader social-justice-oriented reforms, but the clearest direct immigration position is enforcement-leaning and restrictive toward state accommodation of undocumented immigrants.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Ben Allen supports abortion access and reproductive rights. He has described himself as a principal co-author of California’s constitutional reproductive-rights measure and says California will back access to reproductive care and the right to choose. His senate site also says the Legislature has moved to ensure access to abortion services and other reproductive rights.
Climate & Energy
Ben Allen has a long record of supporting aggressive California climate policy, including work on a climate package aimed at carbon neutrality by 2045 and 90% clean electricity by 2035. He has also backed climate resiliency, renewable energy, and fossil-fuel-free clean hydrogen standards, and his campaign describes him as an environmental leader focused on wildfire preparedness and accountability.
Public Safety & Guns
Ben Allen supports stronger gun-safety measures, including tighter concealed-carry laws, investments in gun-buyback programs, and microstamping requirements for new firearms. He also describes public safety work focused on safer streets and collaboration with law enforcement and community partners.
Latest News
Ben Allen is in the news because he is running for California insurance commissioner and is now one of the leading candidates in the primary. Early and unofficial results showed him advancing near the top of the field, and an editorial board also endorsed him. More recently, Allen criticized threats from utility executives over wildfire-liability protections and said he may call them to an oversight hearing.
Our Editorial Boards explain choices to lead Bay Area
Senator 'deeply troubled' by utility threats
Statewide seats take shape as results trickle in
Two Democrats lead California insurance commissioner race
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements
- Fundraising