Wisconsin Commissioner of Insurance
| Wisconsin Commissioner of Insurance | |
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| General information | |
| Office Type: | Nonpartisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $143,582 |
| 2025 FY Budget: | $21,518,400 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | Serves at the pleasure of the governor |
| Authority: | Wisconsin Statutes, Chapter 15.73 |
| Selection Method: | Appointed by Governor |
| Current Officeholder | |
Wisconsin Commissioner of Insurance
Nathan Houdek | |
| Other Wisconsin Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditor • Superintendent of Education • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Natural Resources Commissioner • Labor Commissioner • Public Service Commission | |
The Wisconsin Commissioner of Insurance is an appointed position in the Wisconsin state government. The position was created by the legislature in 1871 to ensure that the insurance industry "responsibly and adequately met the insurance needs of Wisconsin citizens."[1] The current mission of the office is to lead the way in informing and protecting the public and responding to its insurance needs.[1]
Current officeholder
The current officeholder is Nathan Houdek. He was appointed to the position in January 2022 by Governor Tony Evers (D).[2]
Authority
Wisconsin law provides that heads of independent agencies may create and appoint such councils and committees as the operation of the agency requires.
Wisconsin Statutes, Section 15.04
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In addition to any councils specifically created by law, create and appoint such councils or committees as the operation of the department or independent agency requires. Members of councils and committees created under this general authority shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties and, if such reimbursement is made, such reimbursement in the case of an officer or employee of this state who represents an agency as a member of such a council or committee shall be paid by the agency which pays the officer's or employee's salary. |
The creation of the commissioner of insurance is designated in Wisconsin Statutes.
Wisconsin Statutes, Chapter 15.73, Office of commissioner of insurance; creation
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There is created an office of the commissioner of insurance under the direction and supervision of the commissioner of insurance. The commissioner shall not: (1) Be a candidate for public office in any election; (2) Directly or indirectly solicit or receive, or be in any manner concerned with soliciting or receiving any assessment, subscription, contribution or service, whether voluntary or involuntary, for any political purpose whatever, from any person within or without the state; nor (3) Act as an officer or manager for any candidate, political party or committee organized to promote the candidacy of any person for any public office. |
The insurance law, Section 601.20 of Wisconsin Statutes, authorizes the commissioner of insurance to create advisory councils and committees to assist in dealing with regulatory problems.
Wisconsin Statutes, Section 601.20
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The commissioner may create advisory councils and committees under s. 15.04 (1) (c) to assist in dealing with regulatory problems. The commissioner may appoint members and may provide by rule for the creation, governance, duties and termination of any council or committee the commissioner establishes. |
Qualifications
Qualifications for the Wisconsin Commissioner of Insurance are detailed within the Wisconsin State Statutes, Chapter 15.73:
The commissioner shall not:
- Be a candidate for public office in any election;
- Directly or indirectly solicit or receive, or be in any manner concerned with soliciting or receiving any assessment, subscription, contribution or service, whether voluntary or involuntary, for any political purpose whatever, from any person within or without the state; nor
- Act as an officer or manager for any candidate, political party or committee organized to promote the candidacy of any person for any public office.
Appointments
The commissioner of insurance is appointed by the governor.[3]
Vacancies
In the instance of a vacancy, under Chapter 15.05 of the Wisconsin Statutes, a new commissioner is nominated by the governor.[4]
Duties
As of February 2021, the duties of the office included:[1]
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Divisions
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for information that describes the divisions (if any exist) of a state executive office. That information for the Wisconsin Commissioner of Insurance has not yet been added. After extensive research we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
State budget
- See also: Wisconsin state budget and finances
The budget for the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance in Fiscal Year 2025 was $21,518,400.[6]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
2023
In 2023, the officer's salary was $143,582, according to the Council of State Governments.[7]
2022
In 2022, the officer's salary was $140,754, according to the Council of State Governments.[8]
2021
In 2021, the commissioner received a salary of $135,262, according to the Council of State Governments.[9]
2020
In 2020, the insurance commissioner received a salary of $132,600 according to the Council of State Governments.[10]
2019
In 2019, the insurance commissioner received a salary of $130,000 according to the Council of State Governments.[11]
2018
In 2018, the insurance commissioner received a salary of $119,413 according to the Council of State Governments.[12]
2017
In 2017, the insurance commissioner received a salary of $119,413 according to the Council of State Governments.[13]
2016
In 2016, the insurance commissioner received a salary of $119,413 according to the Council of State Governments.[14]
2015
In 2015, the insurance commissioner received a salary of $119,864 according to the Council of State Governments.[15]
2014
In 2014, the commissioner received a salary of $118,676 according to the Council of State Governments.[16]
2013
In 2013, the commissioner's salary remained at $117,500 according to the Council of State Governments.[17]
2012
In 2012, the commissioner received a salary of $117,500 according to the Council of State Governments.
Historical officeholders
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for chronological lists of historical officeholders; information for the Wisconsin Commissioner of Insurance has not yet been added because the information was unavailable on the relevant state official websites, or we are currently in the process of formatting the list for this office. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Mark Afable, 2019-2022
State profile
| Demographic data for Wisconsin | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | U.S. | |
| Total population: | 5,767,891 | 316,515,021 |
| Land area (sq mi): | 54,158 | 3,531,905 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White: | 86.5% | 73.6% |
| Black/African American: | 6.3% | 12.6% |
| Asian: | 2.5% | 5.1% |
| Native American: | 0.9% | 0.8% |
| Pacific Islander: | 0% | 0.2% |
| Two or more: | 2.1% | 3% |
| Hispanic/Latino: | 6.3% | 17.1% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate: | 91% | 86.7% |
| College graduation rate: | 27.8% | 29.8% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income: | $53,357 | $53,889 |
| Persons below poverty level: | 15% | 11.3% |
| Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Wisconsin. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. | ||
Presidential voting pattern
- See also: Presidential voting trends in Wisconsin
Wisconsin voted for the Democratic candidate in five out of the seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.
Pivot Counties (2016)
Ballotpedia identified 206 counties that voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012. Collectively, Trump won these Pivot Counties by more than 580,000 votes. Of these 206 counties, 23 are located in Wisconsin, accounting for 11.17 percent of the total pivot counties.[18]
Pivot Counties (2020)
In 2020, Ballotpedia re-examined the 206 Pivot Counties to view their voting patterns following that year's presidential election. Ballotpedia defined those won by Trump won as Retained Pivot Counties and those won by Joe Biden (D) as Boomerang Pivot Counties. Nationwide, there were 181 Retained Pivot Counties and 25 Boomerang Pivot Counties. Wisconsin had 21 Retained Pivot Counties and two Boomerang Pivot Counties, accounting for 11.60 and 8.00 percent of all Retained and Boomerang Pivot Counties, respectively.
More Wisconsin coverage on Ballotpedia
- Elections in Wisconsin
- United States congressional delegations from Wisconsin
- Public policy in Wisconsin
- Endorsers in Wisconsin
- Wisconsin fact checks
- More...
Recent news
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Contact info
Physical address:
125 South Webster Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53703-3474
Phone: (608) 266-3585 (Madison), (800) 236-8517 (Statewide)
See also
| Wisconsin | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Wisconsin Government, "Office of the Commissioner of Insurance" accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance, "Senior Leadership," accessed January 6, 2022
- ↑ Wisconsin State Offices, "Office of the Commissioner of Insurance" accessed July 17, 2012
- ↑ Wisconsin Statutes, "Chapter 15: Structure of the Executive Branch -- Subchapter I: General Provisions, Section 15.05: Secretaries," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Wisconsin Legislature, "2023 Wisconsin Act 19, accessed December 6, 2023
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2023 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 21, 2025
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
- ↑ Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 28, 2022
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2020," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2019," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2018," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2017," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed December 8, 2014
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Table 4.11 Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 31, 2014
- ↑ The raw data for this study was provided by Dave Leip of Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.
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