>>> HELLO, I'M JIM BURRUSS HOST OF ALL THINGS CONSIDERED IN ATLANTA.

THIS IS THE DEBATE AMONG DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOR INSURANCE COMMISSIONER.

LET'S MEET THE CANDIDATES FOR THIS DEBATE.

THEY ARE IN ALPHABET CAL ORDER, RAPHAEL BAKER IS A BUSINESS OWNER.

JANICE LAWS ROBINSON IS AN INSURANCE PROFESSIONAL.

AND MATTHEW WILSON IS A REPRESENTATIVE FOR DISTRICT 80.

NOW LET'S MEET OUR PANELISTS.

ANDY MILLER IS THE SOUTHERN BUREAU CHIEF FOR KAISER HEALTH NEWS.

AND DON MONTGOMERY FOR THE ATLANTA VOICE.

VISIT THE ATLANTA PRESS WEBSITE THAT'S ATLANTA PRESS CLUB.ORG.

>>> TO START THE DEBATE EACH CANDIDATE WILL BE ASKED ONE QUESTION BY ONE OF THE PANELISTS.

CANDIDATES HAVE 60 SECONDS TO ANSWER EACH QUESTION.

ANDY MILLER, YOU GET THE FIRST QUESTION TO JANICE LAWS ROBINSON.

>> MS.áROBINSON, GEORGIA HAS AMONG THE HIGHEST AUTO INSURANCE RATES IN THE COUNTRY.

IF YOU'RE ELECTED AS INSURANCE COMMISSIONER, WHAT WILL YOU DO IN ORDER TO MAKE IT MORE AFFORDABLE FOR GEORGIANS?

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, I RAN IN 2018 FOR INSURANCE COMMISSIONER, AND MY NUMBER ONE FIGHT WAS AUTO INSURANCE.

AND THIS CONTINUES TO BE MY FIGHT.

GEORGIA HAS THE HIGHEST RATES IN THE COUNTRY.

WE'VE HAD THE HIGHEST RATE INCREASES ACROSS THE BOARD.

AS YOUR NEXT INSURANCE COMMISSIONER, I WILL FIGHT TO REPEAL AND REPLACE SENATE BILL 276.

WE KNOW THAT WITH THE PASSING OF SENATE BILL 276 IN 2008, INSURANCE COMPANIES HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHARGE WHATEVER THEY WANT, AND I WILL FIGHT TO ENSURE THAT THAT STOPS.

I WILL MAKE SURE THAT I CHALLENGE EVERY RATE INCREASE THAT COMES TO THE DEPARTMENT.

AND I WILL HOLD INSURANCE COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

DON MONTGOMERY, IT IS YOUR TURN TO ASK A QUESTION TO MATTHEW WILSON.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

MR.áWILSON, JUST TALK ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AND WHAT MAKES YOU THE BETTER CANDIDATE TO BECOME THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER OF GEORGIA.

>> WELL, THANK YOU FOR THAT, DAWN.

THERE IS A FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ME AND MY OPPONENTS BECAUSE THEY BOTH SPENT 20 YEARS IN THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY AND I'VE NOT.

I'VE BEEN A MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER AND TRIAL LAWYER AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE.

Y'ALL SELL POLICIES, BUT WHEN ACCIDENTS HAPPEN, TRAGEDIES OCCUR, GEORGIANS COME TO ME IN MY LAW PRACTICE TO HOLD INSURANCE COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE.

SOMETIMES THAT MEANS WE HAVE TO TAKE THEM TO COURT.

THIS POSITION IS NOT ABOUT ELECTING THE BEST INSURANCE AGENT, IT'S ABOUT ELECTING A CHIEF CONSUMER ADVOCATE FOR THE STATE, SOMEBODY THAT WILL BE WORKING FOR YOU.

FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS, WHILE MY OPPONENTS HAVE BEEN SELLING POLICIES THAT MAKE MONEY FOR THEMSELVES AND FOR THE BIG INSURANCE COMPANIES, I'VE BEEN FIGHTING UNDER THE GOLD DOME TO FULLY EXPAND MEDICAID, INTRODUCING THE FIRST-EVER MEDICAID PUBLIC OPTION IN GEORGIA, AND TO A PLAN TO BAN DISCRIMINATION AGAINST BLACK AND BROWN FOLKS SIMPLY BECAUSE OF THEIR ZIP CODE.

THAT'S WHY I'M PROUD TO BE ENDORSED BY OVER 75 ELECTED DEMOCRATS IN THE STATE BECAUSE THEY KNOW AS YOUR NEXT INSURANCE COMMISSIONER I'M WORKING FOR YOU, NOT THE BIG INSURANCE COMPANIES.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE A CHANCE TO JANICE AND RAPHAEL TO RESPOND TO THAT SINCE YOU WERE CALLED OUT AS A SALESPERSON.

JANICE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO RESPOND?

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN INSURANCE EXPERT THAT WORKS WITH GEORGIA LAW FAMILIES LIKE YOU, TO MAKE SURE IT IS SECURE AND PUT MONEY BACK IN YOUR POCKETS THAN AN INDUSTRY INSIDER OR WHATEVER MR.áWILSON IS TRYING TO PAINT ME AS BECAUSE THAT PAINT IS NOT GOING TO STICK.

YOU TRUSTED ME IN 2018 BECAUSE YOU KNOW I'M HERE TO FIGHT FOR YOU, AND I'M HERE SO THAT WE CAN FINISH WHAT WE STARTED.

AND YOU CAN HAVE A TRUE CONSUMER ADVOCATE THAT CARES FOR YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

AND MR.áBAKER, WOULD YOU LIKE A REBUTTAL?

>> YES.

YOU KNOW, FOR MY OPPONENT, WHEN SOMEONE COMES INTO A RACE THAT IS COMPLETELY UNQUALIFIED, I CALL THAT PRIVILEGE.

I AM UNBOUGHT AND UNBOSSED.

I AM IN THE INDUSTRY, BUT NO ONE OWNS ME.

NO ONE CONTROLS ME.

NO SPECIAL INTERESTS ARE LINING MY POCKETS.

THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT.

MOVING ON NOW, ANDY, YOU GET THE FINAL QUESTION IN THIS ROUND AND THAT GOES TO RAPHAEL BAKER.

>> MR.áBAKER, WE KNOW THAT MANY CONSUMERS OUT THERE HAVE DEEP COMPLAINTS ABOUT HEALTH INSURANCE, ABOUT THE COST AND ABOUT ACCESS TO CARE, WHETHER THEIR NETWORKS OF DOCTORS IS ADEQUATE ENOUGH.

HOW WOULD YOU ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES AS COMMISSIONER?

>> OKAY.

SO, BACK IN 2018 AND 2019, YOU KNOW, I LOSTá-- 2019 I LOST MY BEST FRIEND TO KIDNEY FAILURE.

SO I GOT TO SEE FIRSTHAND THE FAILURES IN OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

FIRST OF ALL, WE NEED TO EXPAND MEDICAID.

THERE ARE MILLIONS OF GEORGIANS THAT ARE UNINSURED.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT HEALTH CARE IS A RIGHT AND NOT A PRIVILEGE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THAT CONCLUDES THE FIRST ROUND OF THIS DEBATE.

THE CANDIDATES WILL NOW ASK A QUESTION TO AN OPPONENT OF THEIR CHOICE.

EACH CANDIDATE WILL HAVE 30 SECONDS TO ASK THAT QUESTION, 60 SECONDS TO RESPOND, AND THE CANDIDATE WHO ASKED THE QUESTION WILL HAVE THEN 30 SECONDS FOR A REBUTTAL.

AND BY RANDOM SELECTION, MATTHEW WILSON, YOU ASKED THE FIRST QUESTION.

>> MS.áLAWS ROBINSON, FOUR YEARS AGO IN YOUR FIRST CAMPAIGN YOU WERE ASKED ON THIS VERY STAGE IF YOU COULD SETTLE FOR ANYTHING LESS THAN FULL MEDICAID EXPANSION AND YOU SAID THAT, YES, YOU WOULD SUPPORT A PARTIAL EXPANSION WAIVER PROGRAM.

IN 2019 GOVERNOR KEMP PUSHED THROUGH JUST SUCH A WAIVER THAT I VEHEMENTLY OPPOSED BECAUSE IT COVERED ONLY A TINY FRACTION OF THE MILLIONS OF GEORGIANS THAT STILL NEED HEALTH INSURANCE AND INCLUDED WORK REQUIREMENTS.

HOW CAN GEORGIANS BELIEVE YOU WILL FIGHT FOR THEM AND FULL MEDICAID EXPANSION WHEN JUST FOUR YEARS AGO YOU TOLD US YOU WOULD SETTLE FOR SOMETHING SIGNIFICANTLY LESS?

>> THANK YOU, MR.áWILSON.

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SAYING YOU WILL SETTLE FOR SOMETHING LESS AND BEING WILLING TO EXPLORE OPTIONS TO ENSURE THAT GEORGIANS ARE COVERED.

AND WHAT MY POSITION IS, THAT PURGATORY IN GEORGIA FOR MORE THAN A DECADE AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE FIGHT TO FULLY EXPAND MEDICAID.

HOWEVER, AS THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER, THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER DOES NOT EXPAND MEDICAID.

THAT WILL BE UP TO OUR NEXT GOVERNOR AND OUR GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

I AM WILLING TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS.

AS A FORWARD-THINKING LEADER, I WANT TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE OPTIONS, TO FIGHT, NUMBER ONE, TO EXPAND MEDICAID.

HOWEVER, I AM FOCUSED ON WHAT'S IN MY CONTROL TO ENSURE THAT WE BRING MORE INSURANCE COMPANIES INTO THE MARKET AND TO ENSURE THAT EVERY SINGLE GEORGIAN HAS A HEALTH INSURANCE CARD IN THEIR POCKET.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT.

AND MATTHEW WILSON, WOULD YOU LIKE A REBUTTAL?

>> THANK YOU.

MS.áLAWS ROBINSON, YOU DID SAY YOU WOULD SETTLE FOR A WAIVER FOUR YEARS AGO.

THE THING PEOPLE HATE MOST ABOUT POLITICIANS IS WHEN THEY SAY ONE THING ABOUT AN ISSUE YESTERDAY AND TELL YOU SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TODAY JUST FOR YOUR VOTES.

WE CAN'T AFFORD TO WONDER WHERE OUR NEXT INSURANCE COMMISSIONER WILL FALL ON THIS ISSUE.

OR WHAT CREATIVE SOLUTION THEY MIGHT COME UP WITH.

THE STAKES ARE TOO HIGH.

I'M THE ONLY DEMOCRAT ON THIS STAGE THAT HAS CONSISTENTLY FOUGHT FOR FULL MEDICAID EXPANSION AND MEDICAID PUBLIC OPTION.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

JANICE LAWS ROBINSON, YOU GET THE NEXT QUESTION.

>> I HAVE A QUESTION FOR MR.áWILSON.

MR.áWILSON, YOU CLAIM TO BE A CONSUMER ADVOCATE AND A CONSUMER CHAMPION.

YET DURING THE PANDEMIC WHEN YOU HAD A CHANCE TO CHOOSE WHETHER YOU'RE GOING TO SUPPORT HARD WORKING GEORGIANS OVER BIG INTERESTS, YOU SUPPORTED BIG INTEREST COMPANIES, THIS THE COVID IMMUNITY BILL.

WHY SHOULD GEORGIANS TRUST YOU NO NEW >> LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT BILL.

I SUPPORTED THAT BILL AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC BECAUSE I WANTED TO MAKE SURE IF EMPLOYEES WERE GOING TO BE FORCED TO GO TO WORK, THAT THEY HAD ACCESS TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION FUND IN THEY GOT SICK AND I ALSO WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE PLACED LIMITATIONS AROUND THE EXTRAORDINARY POWERS THAT THE GOVERNOR HAD DURING THE PANDEMIC EMERGENCY.

IT WAS CERTAINLY FAR FROM A GOOD BILL, BUTá-- AND IT WAS A HARD VOTE, BUT THAT'S WHAT MY CONSTITUENTS SENT ME TO THE CAPITAL TO DO.

YOU KNOW, IT'S EASY WHEN YOU'VE NEVER HELD ELECTED OFFICE TO CHERRY-PICK ONE VOTE AND SAY YOU WOULD DO IT DIFFERENTLY.

BUT I STAND BY MY RECORD ON THAT ISSUE.

IT DID COME UP THE NEXT YEAR FOR RENEWAL AND I OPPOSED IT BECAUSE IT DIDN'T DO ENOUGH.

I PROVIDED A FIX.

WHEN IT WAS IN THE BILLY SPOKE AGAINST IT ON THE FLOOR ON BEHALF OF THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS.

AS DEMOCRATS WE SHOULDN'T BE ATTACKING OURSELVES ON THIS ISSUE WHEN WE KNOW IT'S THE ANTI-SCIENCE, ANTI-MASK, ANTI-LOCAL CONTROL REPUBLICAN PARTY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MISMANAGEMENT OF OUR PANDEMIC HERE IN GEORGIA.

>> AND, MS.áLAWS ROBINSON, WOULD YOU LIKE A REBUTTAL?

>> YES.

>> 30 SECONDS.

>> SO, MR.áWILSON, YOU JUST CALLED ME A POLITICIAN, THEN YOU SAID I'M NOT ELECTED OFFICE.

SO MAKE UP YOUR MIND.

MAKE UP YOUR MIND.

AS THE NEXT INSURANCE COMMISSIONER, I WILL PUT YOU FIRST.

MR.áWILSON IS THE ONLY POLITICIAN ON THIS STAGE.

HE HAS NO BACKGROUND IN INSURANCE, AND HE IS AN OPPORTUNISTS WHO IS LOOKING FOR HIS NEXT OPPORTUNITY AS A LEGISLATOR.

I WAS HERE IN 2018 FIGHTING FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND I WILL CONTINUE TO DO JUST THAT.

THROUGHOUT MY CAREER, THAT'S WHAT I'VE DONE AND THAT'S WHAT I WILL CONTINUE TO DO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR THAT.

AND RAPHAEL BAKER, YOU GET THE FINAL QUESTION IN THIS ROUND.

>> YES, THANK YOU.

SO, MY QUESTION IS FOR MRS.áLAWS ROBINSON.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS THAT YOU SAY ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL IS THAT YOU RUN A SUCCESSFUL AGENCY.

BUT ACCORDING TO THE FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES, OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS YOUR AGENCY ONLY NETTED $5,000.

SO YOU'RE SAYING YOU'RE TARGETING ALL OF THESE, YOUR CUSTOMERS.

YOU MUST NOT HAVE A LOT OF CUSTOMERS.

HOW DO YOU ANSWER TO THAT?

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

AS YOUR NEXT INSURANCE COMMISSIONER, AND FROM FOUR YEARS AGO, I HAVE COMMITTED TO SLOWLY WEANING MY WAY OUT OF THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY SO I AM NOT TAKING MONEY FROM BIG INSURANCE.

MY HUSBAND AND I, WE HAVE A BUSINESS.

WE HAVE A TECHNOLOGY, AN I.T.

COMPANY, THAT'S WHAT OUR PRIMARY INCOME IS FROM.

SO I'M ABLE TO SERVE MY CUSTOMERS AND NOT TAKE MONEY.

THAT'S MY COMMITMENT TO GEORGIANS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

>> YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS FOR REBUTTAL.

>> IN 2018 WHEN STACEY ABRAMS LOST THE ELECTION, SHE BEGAN A QUEST TO CHANGE THE WORLD.

IN THOSE LAST FOUR YEARS, JANICE, THE ONLY THING YOU CHANGED WAS YOUR LAST NAME.

>> OKAY.

>> THAT CONCLUDES OUR SECOND ROUND.

FORRES OF US JOANING US, THIS IS THE DEBATE FOR DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOR INSURANCE COMMISSIONER.

WE'LL GO BACK TO THE CANDIDATES FOR THE CANDIDATE OF THEIR CHOICE.

AS A MODERATOR PRIVILEGE, I MIGHT ALSO QUESTION SOME OF THE CANDIDATES.

I WILL DETERMINE WHEN A REBUTTAL IS ALSO APPROPRIATE.

DAWN MONTGOMERY, YOU GET THE FIRST QUESTION.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I WANT TO DIRECT THIS TO MR.áBAKER.

HOW DO YOU FEEL THAT THE STATE OF GEORGIA NEEDSá-- WHAT TYPE OF INSURANCE COMMISSIONER DO THEY NEED AT THIS TIME?

>> SO, WE NEED SOMEONEá-- GEORGIA NEEDS SOMEONE WHO IS EXPERIENCED.

I HAVE EXPERIENCE IN THE INDUSTRY FROM BOTH SIDES, FROM THE SALES SIDE, ALSO THE LEADERSHIP SIDE.

SOMEONE WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY'RE DOING, SOMEONE WHO IS PROPERLY EDUCATED AND CREDENTIALED.

WHEN YOU GO TO YOUR DOCTOR, YOU WANT TO ENSURE THEY HAVE 9 PROPER CREDENTIALS.

THE SAME WITH YOUR INSURANCE COMMISSIONER, AND I AM THAT PERSON.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ANDY MILLER, YOU GET THE NEXT QUESTION.

>> THIS IS TO ALL THE CANDIDATES.

CONSUMERS REALLY WANT TO KNOW WHICH COMPANIES ARE THE BEST BEHAVED OR BEST ACTING COMPANIES OUT THERE IN THE MARKET PLACE.

HOW WOULD YOU INCREASE TRANSPARENCY OF DATA ABOUT COMPLAINTS AGAINST EACH OF THE COMPANIES, WHATEVER LINE IT IS, WHETHER IT'S HEALTH INSURANCE OR AUTO INSURANCE?

>> MATTHEW WILSON, WE'LL START WITH YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

I HAVE PUT FORTH THE FAIR AND HONEST LICENSURE PLAN COMMITTING TO USE THE POWER OF THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER TO INVESTIGATE INSURANCE COMPANIES AND PUT ALL OF THAT INFORMATION ON THE PUBLIC WEBSITE.

WE ARE ALSO GOING TO PUT UP A DATABASE SO THAT CONSUMERS CAN SEARCH THE INSURANCE COMPANIES TO FIND WHERE THEY CAN GET THE BEST DEAL AND SEE WHERE WE HAVE ISSUED FINES AGAINST INSURANCE COMPANIES FOR NOT COMPLYING.

WE ARE ALSO GOING TO ELIMINATE THE DISCRIMINATION THAT IS STILL ALLOWED TO PERSIST IN THE INSURANCE PREMIUMS AGAINST BLACK AND BROWN FOLKS IN GEORGIA WHERE THEY ARE PAYING NEARLY DOUBLE FOR AUTO AND HOME INSURANCE JUST BECAUSE OF THE ZIP CODE WHERE THEY LIVE.

ALL OF THAT ENDS WHEN I'M YOUR NEXT INSURANCE COMMISSIONER, AND I DO ALSO WANT TO JUST SAY THAT I'M THE ONLY CANDIDATE ON THIS STAGE WHO IS NOT FROM THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY.

I TAKE INSURANCE COMPANIES TO COURT TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE AND I'LL CONTINUE TO DO THAT AS YOUR NEXT INSURANCE COMMISSIONER.

>> JANICE LAWS ROBINSON, YOUR TURN.

>> YES, SO, THE NEXT INSURANCE COMMISSIONER NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT GEORGIANS ARE DEALING WITH.

AS YOUR NEXT INSURANCE COMMISSIONER, I WILL INVESTIGATE INSURANCE COMPANIES.

I WILL USEá-- I WILL INVESTIGATE INSURANCE COMPANIES.

I WILL USE MY REPORTING POWERS TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE FULL TRANSPARENCY.

I WILL ENSURE THAT WE HAVE A COMMUNICATIONS FRAMEWORK ACROSS THE STATE, INCLUDING EMAIL CAPABILITY SO THAT CUSTOMERS AND CITIZENS ACROSS THE STATE CAN ENROLL AND OPT-IN TO RECEIVE EMAILS BECAUSE THAT'S THE BEST WAY, IS TO HAVE FULL COMMUNICATION SO THAT WE HAVE A SENDER AND A RECEIVER.

CURRENTLY THERE ARE BULLETINSá-- THERE'S ANNOUNCEMENTS ON THE WEBSITE, BUT THERE IS NO REAL COMMUNICATION WITH GEORGIANS.

I WILL ENSURE WE HAVE COMMUNICATIONS ACROSS THE STATE.

>> THANK YOU.

AND MR.áBAKER, IT'S NOW YOUR TURN TO ANSWER ANDY MILLER'S QUESTION.

>> YES, I WANT TO GO BACK TO SOMETHING MY UNQUALIFIED OPPONENT SAID.

HE TALKED ABOUT ZIP CODES.

SO WHEN IT COMES TO BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE, IS IT IS BEYOND ZIP CODE.

IT IS DUE TO SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR DRIVING RECORD, SUCH AS YOUR MARITAL STATUS, WHETHER OR NOT YOU OWN A HOME.

AND YES, YOUR ZIP CODE IS A PART OF IT.

SO I WILL BRING TRANSPARENCY INTO THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE.

RIGHT NOW THE CURRENT INSURANCE COMMISSIONER IS INVISIBLE.

I AFFECTIONATELY CALL HIM CASPER.

I WILL BE VISIBLE AND AVAILABLE.

>> MATTHEW WILSON, WOULD YOU LIKE TO RESPOND TO THAT?

>> YES, THANK YOU.

SO, THE PROBLEM IS FOR THE LAST 25 YEARS WE'VE HAD INSURANCE INDUSTRY INSIDERS WHO HAVE RUN THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE AND REFUSED TO HOLD THEIR FRIENDS IN THE BIG INSURANCE COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE.

THAT ENDS WHEN YOU ELECT ME AS YOUR NEXT INSURANCE COMMISSIONER.

AND I DO UNDERSTAND THAT IT GOES BEYOND ZIP CODES.

THAT IS WHY I INTRODUCED THE LEGISLATION IN THE STATEHOUSE TO PREVENT THINGS LIKE CREDIT HISTORY, WHETHER YOU LIVE IN AN APARTMENT VERSUS A MORTGAGE.

THINGS THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR INSURANCE POLICY BEING USED AS PROXIES FOR RACE.

>> THANK YOU.

DAWN MONTGOMERY, YOUR TURN.

>> CAN I HAVE A REBUTTAL?

>> GO AHEAD.

>> MR.áWILSON SAYS INSIDERS RAN THE DEPARTMENT.

WHAT'S SO, WHAT'S ACTUALLY TRUE IS FOR OVER 100 YEARS IT'S BEEN THE GOOD OLD BOYS CLUB THAT'S RAN THIS DEPARTMENT.

THERE'S NEVER BEEN BLACK PERSON, AND THERE'S NEVER BEEN A WOMAN.

AND THAT IS THE PROBLEM.

NOT INSURANCE INSIDERS.

WE CAN CHECK.

IT'S BEEN WHITE MALE ATTORNEYS OR LEGISLATORS THAT HAVE RAN THIS DEPARTMENT.

JUST LIKE MR.áWILSON.

>> WE NEED TO MOVE ON, PLEASE.

>> FINAL REBUTTAL.

>> DAWN MONTGOMERY, PLEASE ASK YOUR QUESTION.

>> MY FINAL QUESTION IS BASICALLY TO ALL OF YOU ALL, I KNOW THAT EVERYONE HAS WHAT THEY ARE DOING OR WHAT THEY WANT TO DO SPECIFICALLY IN THIS ROLE.

IS THERE SOMETHING THAT YOU'VE SEEN PREVIOUSLY FROM AN INSURANCE COMMISSIONER FOR THE STATE OF GEORGIA THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE IMMEDIATELY ONCE YOU'RE ELECTED IN OFFICE?

>> WE'LL START WITH RAPHAEL BAKER.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE EVERYTHING ABOUT THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.

FIRST, WE HAVE SOMEONE UNQUALIFIED.

HE WAS A APPOINTED, NOT ANOINTED OR ELECTED.

FIRST, BRINGING QUALIFICATIONS BACK INTO THE OFFICE.

BUT ALSO SOMEONE WHO IS VISIBLE, SOMEONE WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT, SOMEONE WHO IS GOING TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC.

THANK YOU.

>> AND MS.áLAWS ROBINSON.

>> YES.

I WILL BRING CONSUMER ADVOCACY BACK TO THE DEPARTMENT.

I WILL BRING A HEART AND A SOUL BACK TO THE DEPARTMENT.

I'M RUNNING BECAUSE I CARE FOR GEORGIA FAMILIES.

I'M THE ONLY ONE ON THIS STAGE THAT'S BEEN FIGHTING FOR YOU FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

I RAN BECAUSE I CARE, AND I'M GOING TO CONTINUE TO CARE FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

>> THANK YOU.

AND MATTHEW WILSON.

>> THE FIRST THING I'D WANT TO CHANGE IS TO REPEAL THE FILE AND USE LAW THAT WENT INTO EFFECT IN 2008.

IT'S ONE OF THE REASON WE HAVE HIGHEST IN THE NATION INSURANCE PREMIUMS.

BUT I WANT TO GO BACK AND RESPOND TO WHAT MS.áLAWS ROBINSON SAID EARLIER.

BECAUSE I'M CERTAINLY NOT BLACK, BUT TO INSINUATE THIS GAYE MAN WHO GREW UP AS A CLOSETED GAYE BOY IN GRIFFIN, GEORGIA, IS SOMEHOW A GOOD OLD BOY IS ABSURD.

THEY MAY INVITE ME IN THE DOOR, BUT AS SOON AS I TALK ABOUT MY HUSBAND, THAT DOOR GETS SLAMMED IN MY FACE, TOO.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN US AND THEM, THOUGH, IS THAT WE'RE THE PARTY OF INCLUSION.

THAT'S WHY I'VE BEEN SO PROUD TO STAND AND FIGHT WITH MY BLACK COLLEAGUES IN THE LEGISLATURE ON HISTORIC PROGRESS ON THINGS LIKE THE HATE CRIMES LAW, AND BEATING BACK AGAINST THIS ALL-OUT ASSAULT ON OUR VOTING RIGHTS BECAUSE THESE ARE ISSUES THAT AFFECT ALL OF US.

I'M PROUD TO BE ENDORSED BY MAJORITY OF THE LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS, AND ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE GEORGIA NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR WOMEN.

BECAUSE THEY KNOW ME.

THEY KNOW MY VALUES AND THEY KNOW AS INSURANCE COMMISSIONER, I'LL BE FIGHTING FOR YOU, NOT THE BIG INSURANCE COMPANIES.

>> AND MS.áLAWS ROBINSON, WE HAVE A BRIEF MOMENT IF YOU'D LIKE TO RESPOND TO THAT.

>> NO.

>> THANK YOU.

ANDY MILLER, YOU GET TO ASK THE NEXT QUESTION.

>> THE QUESTION FOR ALL OF YOU IS IN OUR ELECTIONS FOR INSURANCE COMMISSIONER, WE ALLOW AND EVEN IN OFFICE WE ALLOW CONTRIBUTIONS BY INSURANCE COMPANIES.

AND CERTAINLY PAST AND PRESENT COMMISSIONERS HAVE ACCEPTED THESE CONTRIBUTIONS, THE POLITICAL GIFTS, DONATIONS, WHATEVER.

IS THAT A GOOD SYSTEM TO HAVE?

>> AND WE ARE RUNNING SHORT ON TIME SO I'M GOING TO ASK THESE QUESTIONS BE ANSWERED IN 45 SECONDS OR LESS IF YOU COULD.

WE WILL START WITH JANICE LAWS ROBINSON.

>> NO, I DO NOT THINK THAT THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER CANDIDATE SHOULD BE FINANCED BY INSURANCE COMPANIES.

AND I HAVE NOT TAKEN ANY MONEY FROM INSURANCE COMPANIES.

IN FACT, AS I SAID EARLIER, I'VE BEEN PHASING OUT THAT WORK WITH INSURANCE TO GET NEW MONEY FROM INSURANCE COMPANIES.

AND SO I THINK THAT'S A VERY BAD IDEA BECAUSE THE GOOD OLD BOY SYSTEM HAS OWNED THIS DEPARTMENT.

THEY HAVE BEEN BOUGHT AND PAID BY THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY.

AND AS YOUR NEXT INSURANCE COMMISSIONER, I WILL NOT BE BOUGHT AND PAID BY INSURANCE.

THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT FINANCE MY CAMPAIGN ARE YOU, THE HARD WORKING GEORGIA FAMILIES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND MATTHEW WILSON.

>> SO, IT'S INTERESTING THAT SHE CLAIMS SHE DOESN'T TAKE MONEY FROM INSURANCE COMPANIES.

WE'RE LEGALLY NOT ALLOWED TO ACCEPT MONEY FROM REGULATED INDUSTRIES.

YOU'LL NOTICE FROM HER DISCLOSURES, THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY COMING FROM INSURANCE AGENTS AND BROKERS TO MS.áLAWS ROBINSON.

I'M CERTAINLY OPEN TO LOOKING AT WAYS THAT WE CAN CHANGE THAT SYSTEM AND MAKE IT MORE FAIR AND TRANSPARENT.

I'VE BEEN FIGHTING FOR THAT IN THE STATEHOUSE THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

IT'S NOT A GOOD SYSTEM WHEN WE HAVE THE INDUSTRY FUNNELING TONS OF MONEY EVERY YEAR.

AND YOU WATCH, RIGHT AFTER THIS PRIMARY, ON THE OTHER SIDE, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF MONEY FUNDING BEHIND THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE.

MY MONEY, ALL OF MY SUPPORT COMES FROM HUNDREDS OF GEORGIA CONSUMERS JUST LIKE YOU.

>> AND RAPHAEL BAKER, YOU GET THE LAST WORD IN THIS ROUND.

>> SIMPLY PUT, I HAVEN'T AND I WON'T.

ADDITIONALLY, MY OPPONENT TALKED ABOUT ENDORSEMENTS.

REMEMBER, THESE ENDORSEMENTS COME ALONG WITH STRINGS.

THE ONLY ENDORSEMENTS I'M SEEKING ARE THE ENDORSEMENTS OF THE PEOPLE.

>> THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR QUESTIONS.

EACH CANDIDATE WILL NOW HAVE 60 SECONDS FOR A CLOSING STATEMENT.

AND RAPHAEL BAKER, YOU GET THE FIRST CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> GEORGIA DESERVES AN INSURANCE COMMISSIONER THAT IS GOING TO FIGHT AGAINST SYSTEMIC RACISM.

GEORGIA DESERVES AN INSURANCE COMMISSIONER THAT BELIEVES HEALTH CARE IS IS NOT A PRIVILEGE, BUT A RIGHT.

GEORGIA DESERVES AN INSURANCE COMMISSIONER THAT IS GOING TO CREATE AGENCY OWNERS IN THESE UNDER SERVED, UNDER REPRESENTED COMMUNITIES.

A GEORGIA DESERVES SOMEBODY THAT IS GOING TO FIGHT ALONGSIDE OUR NEXT GOVERNOR FOR THE FULL EXPANSION OF MEDICAID.

GEORGIA DESERVES ME, RAPHAEL BAKER, AS YOUR NEXT INSURANCE COMMISSIONER BECAUSE I AM THE CHANGE THAT GEORGIA DESERVES.

THANK YOU.

>> MATTHEW WILSON, YOUR CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> I WANT TO THANK BOTH OF MY OPPONENTS BECAUSE WHOEVER EMERGES FROM THIS PRIMARY, WE NEED TO BE LASER FOCUSED ON BEATING THE REPUBLICANS IN NOVEMBER BECAUSE THE STAKES COULD NOT BE HIGHER.

BUT I DO HOPE THAT THIS DEBATE HAS CLARIFIED THAT YOU HAVE A CHOICE IN THIS PRIMARY.

I AM THE ONLY DEMOCRAT ON THIS STAGE WHO IS NOT FROM THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY.

I AM A TRIAL LAWYER WHO TAKES BIG INSURANCE COMPANIES TO COURT.

I'M THE ONLY DEMOCRAT ON THIS STAGE THAT HAS CONSISTENTLY FOUGHT FOR FULL MEDICAID EXPANSION AND INTRODUCED THE BILL TO PROVIDE GUARANTEED HEALTH INSURANCE FOR EVERY GEORGIAN FOR FREE.

I'M THE ONLY CANNED CAN'T ON STAGE WITH THE FAIR LICENSURE TO ENSURE PREMIUM SETTING AND BRING DOWN THE HIGH OFT IN THE NATION INSURANCE PREMIUMS.

MY OPPONENTS SELL THE POLICIES.

WHEN TRAGEDY STRIKES, GEORGIANS COME TO ME AND MY LAW PRACTICE TO HOLD INSURANCE COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I'LL CONTINUE DOING AS YOUR NEXT INSURANCE COMMISSIONER.

PLEASE VISIT MATTHEW FOR GEORGIA.COM FOR YOUR VOTE.

THANK YOU.

>> JANICE LAWS ROBINSON, YOU GET THE FINAL CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> THANK YOU.

AS A WOMAN, WE REPRESENT THE MAJORITY OF GEORGIA CONSUMERS.

WE DESERVE TO HAVE REPRESENTATION IN THIS VITAL GOVERNMENTAL OFFICE.

AS YOUR NEXT INSURANCE COMMISSIONER, I WILL BRING MY TWO DECADES OF EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH GEORGIA FAMILIES JUST LIKE YOU AND ETHICAL LEADERSHIP TO FIGHT FOR AFFORDABLE AUTO INSURANCE RATES, TO CLOSE THE HEALTH INSURANCE GAP, AND TO STOP RED LINING IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

IN 2018, YOU TRUSTED ME AND I DO NOT TAKE THAT FOR GRANTED.

I ASK YOU FOR YOUR VOTE AGAIN TO ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE A FRIEND AND A CONSUMER ADVOCATE IN THE OFFICE OF INSURANCE COMMISSIONER.

VOTE JANICE LAWS ROBINSON TO BE YOUR NEXT INSURANCE COMMISSIONER.

A WIN FOR ME IS A WIN FOR YOU.

>> AND THAT CONCLUDES OUR DEBATE THIS AFTERNOON.

WE'D LIKE TO REMIND VOTERS THAT ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY, MAY THE 24th.

EARLY VOTING IS NOW UNDERWAY.

WE WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO OUR CANDIDATES, TO RAPHAEL BAKER, JANICE LAWS ROBINSON AND MATTHEW WILSON AS WELL AS OUR PANELISTS DAWN MONTGOMERY AND ANDY MILLER.

WE'D LIKE TO THANK THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB FOR ARRANGING TODAY'S DEBATE.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE DEBATE THEY WILL HOST THIS ELECTION SEASON, VISIT THE ATLANTA APPRECIATION CLUB.ORG.

I'M JIM BURRUSS, THANK YOU FOR JOINING THE LOUDERMILK-YOUNG DEBATE SERIES.

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