Democratic candidate for Insurance Commissioner, Gary Anderson, has broken his pledge not to accept political contributions from insurance companies.
According to his latest Financial Disclosure Report filed with the MS Secretary of State, Anderson accepted a five-hundred dollar contribution from Douglas A. Horne, 412 N. Cedar Bluff Road, Knoxville, TN, on September 10, 2007. Anderson reported Doug Horne’s occupation/employer as “President, Horne Properties, Inc.” In fact, Doug Horne is an owner of The Insurance Group, 412 N. Cedar Bluff Road, Knoxville, TN. Mr. Horne verified his ownership of the insurance company in the 2007 August/September issue of Knoxville Magazine. The company’s website address is www.insgrp.net.
“We’ve been expecting more funny business from Anderson because the guy keeps changing his pledge,” said Morgan Shands, Campaign Manager for Mike Chaney.
Anderson states on his website that, “I won’t accept a single political contribution from insurance companies or their executives…”
In an Anderson press release dated June 11th, Anderson states, “I pledge not to accept contributions from the insurance industry…”
Then, in an Anderson press release issued September 12th, just two days after accepting a check from an owner of an insurance company, Anderson changed his pledge, “He (Anderson) reaffirmed his pledge to not take money from big insurance or their executives…”
In Anderson’s latest press release dated October 11th, Anderson changes his pledge again stating, “I have not taken a single dime from insurance companies…”
“I’ve heard of politicians breaking campaign promises,” said Shands, “but this is the first time I’ve heard of a politician breaking a campaign promise before the campaign is even over!”
The truth is that Mike Chaney has refused to accept campaign contributions from big insurance companies – the entities that actually come before the Department of Insurance for rate approval.
Anderson also attempts to hide the fact that his campaign is funded by personal injury lawyers. Anderson reports William S. Guy’s occupation as “businessman.” However, Mr. Guy is actually a well-known lawyer. FindLaw legal directory and the West Legal Directory list Mr. Guy’s area of practice as “Personal Injury.” According to the Disclosure Report, 60% of Anderson’s campaign contributors are lobbyist and/or lawyers.
“You never know what’s going to come out of Anderson’s mouth,” said Shands. “One day he says that we refused to take a pledge regarding insurance contributions (Oct. 4th Anderson Press Release), the next day he is accusing us of going back on that same pledge.” (Oct. 10th Anderson Press Release).
“There is one thing you won’t hear Anderson say,” said Shands, “and that’s how he’s going to solve Mississippi’s current insurance crisis.”
Mike Chaney Campaign Release
10/11/7
Magnolia Tribune
