Despite being frequently overshadowed by more flashy elected leaders such as the state governor or attorney general, the job of running the state’s insurance commission is no small task.

The person who fills that role plays a part in deciding how much Washingtonians pay for things like health, car and home insurance.

The insurance commissioner has the power to work as a representative for state residents as insurance rates continue to skyrocket in the wake of climate change, corporate mergers and inflation. The Spokesman-Review interviewed six of the eight candidates vying to be Washington’s next insurance commissioner. Here’s some information about each of them: