Jonathan Hendrix

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Jonathan Hendrix

No party preference

Elections and appointments

Last election

August 6, 2024

Education

High school

Mt. Whitney High School

Bachelor's

Whitman College, 1985

Graduate

Baldwin-Wallace University, 2015

Personal

Birthplace

Sacramento, Calif.

Religion

Christian

Profession

Insurance

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Twitter

Jonathan Hendrix (No party preference) ran for election for Washington Commissioner of Insurance. He lost in the primary on August 6, 2024.

Hendrix completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Jonathan Hendrix was born in Sacramento, California. He graduated from Mt. Whitney High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from Whitman College in 1985 and a graduate degree from Baldwin-Wallace University in 2015. His career experience includes working in insurance and consulting and app design for Mobile Health.

Elections

2024

See also: Washington Insurance Commissioner election, 2024

General election

General election for Washington Commissioner of Insurance

Patricia Kuderer defeated Phil Fortunato in the general election for Washington Commissioner of Insurance on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Patricia Kuderer (D)	56.6	2,091,969
		Phil Fortunato (R)	43.3	1,598,032
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	4,430

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,694,431
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Washington Commissioner of Insurance

The following candidates ran in the primary for Washington Commissioner of Insurance on August 6, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Patricia Kuderer (D)	45.2	845,148
✔		Phil Fortunato (R)	28.5	533,560
		Justin Murta (R)	10.1	189,582
		John Pestinger (D)	5.6	103,986
		Jonathan Hendrix (No party preference)	3.7	68,961
		Bill Boyd (D)	3.1	57,387
	Submit photo	Chris Chung (D)	2.9	54,469
		Tim Verzal (No party preference)	0.8	15,742
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	1,738

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,870,573
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Khristopher Greene (No party preference)

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Hendrix in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Jonathan Hendrix completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Hendrix's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a father to four, two are working professionals, one is a Lance Corporal serving in the US Marine Corps and one enters college this Fall. I have more than 35 years experience as an insurance executive in various capacities, board experience in industry safety-net and non-profit boards, and community service at Boys & Girls Clubs, Scouts and Big Brothers Big Sisters. I have a B.A. from Whitman College and a MBA from Baldwin-Wallace University. I enjoy all outdoor activities the Pacific Northwest has to offer. On my "X" page is a picture from a recent hike to the Enchantments, a Washington State treasure.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Vote for me so I can apply my leadership experience, background and knowledge to modernize our insurance system in three areas: affordability, access to coverage and customer experience. Also, as insurance companies apply Artificial Intelligence to improve operations and reduce risk, we will work to ensure that does not infringe on our rights.
• I commit to working with members of both parties, the politically homeless and market stakeholders to find sensible solutions to make the insurance market in Washington healthy, effective and affordable.
• Healthy communities and business are pivotal for a healthy insurance market. People who buy, maintain and use insurance need to make ends meet. I want to help Washington families and business make ends meet. I will ensure that you can rely on a healthy insurance market to protect you from the hazards of life's journeys.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The intersection of public policy on private lives, communities and commercial activity. A lot of insurance cost is tied to environmental risk, and human behavior. Things like inspecting old power lines can reduce wildfire risk. Social determinants of health influence population health. Fentanyl for example is a clear and present danger to public health risk. Public leaders and market stakeholders should be accountable stewards of the trust communities and businesses place in them. Our communities and businesses are feeling a significant pinch. Take health insurance. If your business increased costs 20% a year, would you have happy customers four years from now?

We can do better.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

Insurance rates and regulating insurance-related commerce for the protection of consumers is pivotal. In Washington State the insurance industry drives $8-10B of our GDP, and is tied to most economic activity. When I worked in Ohio I served on the board of the State Insurance Guaranty Association, a safety net organization which oversees failed insurance companies (think FDIC). So I have an appreciation of the effect a healthy insurance market can have on an economy.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My mom and dad were formative of my values. Both were faithful people, civic oriented and grounded in local community values. So far as public figures go, I admired John F Kennedy, Eisenhower and more recently General Jim Mattis (USMC).

My Dad, unfortunately, passed away when I was 20 and just graduated Whitman College. That impacted our family as he did not have life insurance. My younger brother, then 13, graduated from college and my mom kept the house. My mom instilled a value of learning and education (she read to three of my four kids).

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

I like Don Winslow and Michael Connelly books. Don Winslow writes about thorny systemic issues, one early work "California Fire and LIfe." A detective in Connelly books Harry Bosch has a saying "no one counts unless we all count." I enjoy H.W. Brands (history) books on Truman-Macarther (The President and the General) and Reagan (Reagan - A Life). The Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma is worth a watch. Also Jennifer Doudna's "Code Breaker" book. For healthcare folks, The Social Transformation of American Medicine (Starr), Sickening (Abrahamson) may help you sleep.

Representative democracy in a global economy with powerful special interests and political animus is fragile.

My focus is to help Washington State make ends meet, and make insurance affordable, effective and relevant to those who buy, maintain and use it.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Character, ethics, and a sense of stewardship and accountability. We have a representative democracy that depends on their elected leaders to protect the interests of the people, families and businesses who constitute "the Public." The Office of Insurance Commissioner approves the rates that insurance companies charge in Washington State and performs other market activities. As Insurance Commissioner I will routinely interact with market stakeholders, who are pivotal to healthy insurance market function, but sometimes their special interests are at odds with the people and businesses who use their services.

I was raised in an agricultural community, my Dad practiced law and my mom taught 2nd grade. We went to church and were involved in our community. I appreciate hard work, education, serving community and understand we are part of a global economy.

Having strong character, solid values and integrity goes far when you are routinely creating agreements and having robust debates on public policy that respects the families and businesses who pay for that, and understands they need to make ends meet.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

My leadership experience, background and knowledge together with my character, integrity and ethical compass. I believe I would be a good steward, and be effective to engage stakeholders to create a healthier insurance environment in Washington State.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The core responsibilities are regulatory, policy and public education of constituents.

The Office of Insurance Commissioner approves the rates insurance companies charge in Washington and performs other pivotal market activities on behalf of consumers and purchasers.

Since there is a growing intersection of Federal and State funding for health insurance, the Insurance Commissioner navigates that (representing the State constituents) policy.

Today the WAOIC has relatively traditional educational tools. I intend to explore using the podcast medium so that folks have ready access to educational episodes on issues relevant to insurance affordability, accessibility and customer experience.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to be a good father to my kids and family, and to the extent possible, prepare the next generation of leaders to become stewards of public office.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Robert Kennedy's assassination, I think I was something like three. My folks were big Kennedy supporters, and it was kind of like 9-11 where our world stood still.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was a paper route and I did that for two years.

What is your favorite book? Why?

I enjoy many books. I really got into the James Carr series. I really enjoy Amor Towles, Erik Larsen and H.W. Brands books.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Spiderman, perhaps.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Spoon: The Way We Get By

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I have an appreciation for staying healthy for my kids and the possibility of grandkids. Staying healthy takes work, and sometimes making healthy choices is a struggle. I suspect that is part of the Plan, though.

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

Modernizing our insurance system to strengthen affordability, access to coverage and how people are treated when they use insurance. Interaction with stakeholders is pivotal (insurance companies, utilities, legislators, health systems, provider groups/types, people using services, other states).

Approving rates and ensuring proper market conduct is probably the most obvious but is a result of several other steps.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

The Office of the Insurance Commissioner upholds the Washington State and U.S. Constitution. In the past I have seen a WA State Insurance Commissioner declare a crisis to accelerate public policy changes.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

The underlying bureaucracy of the Office of Insurance Commissioner is very capable. I have a good understanding of government and politics and politicians, and I believe I can work with legislators and public officials well.

I believe it's beneficial for Washington State that this Office take a practical, non-partisan approach to making the insurance market here healthy, effective and affordable.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Awareness of the end-to-end cycle of risk and insurance is helpful, because you need to balance the impact that proposed policy (legislation) will have on people and business, you have to imagine what unintended consequences may arise from said policies, and be able to navigate the nuances of legislative "code-speak." Besides expertise, people skills to invest others in multiple processes, projects and agreements is pivotal.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Three UW fans go to an Oregon game and check into a hotel...

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I support. The Office of Insurance Commissioner does publish an Annual Report and I would anticipate building on that. While I think there are some merits to Medicare I do not support "Medicare for All." This is because our health system has evolved on a "cost-plus" basis and contains a lot of waste. Government can weaponize power, and concentrating too much of the State or national GDP there may not be a good strategic move.

Do you support or oppose changes to the current state ballot initiative process? If so, what kind of changes would you consider?

I do not have any complaint against the existing initiative process. Also, as Insurance Commissioner I expect to circulate regularly in the community and invite folks to share their ideas and talk.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign website

Hendrix’s campaign website stated the following:

“	VISION & PRIORITIES The best way to change the future is to create it. Join me to make the insurance environment in Washington State healthy, effective and affordable for all. As your Insurance Commissioner I will modernize our insurance system in three areas: Affordability, Access and Customer Experience. Taking a strategic approach, we can make the insurance environment in Washington State healthy, effective and affordable for all (even pets!). Join us to help families and businesses in Washington State make ends meet. Key Campaign Points Affordability Make insurance, health insurance in particular, more affordable for Washington State. The current system's rising costs are unsustainable, we must address the root causes that drive up costs. Choices in the Market Strengthen access to insurance coverage and alternatives. Working with stakeholders we can drive competition, innovation and value. Customer Experience Customer Experience standards so that when people use their coverage, they do so without unnecessary hassle. We can work with stakeholders to create a more reliable and user-friendly system for policyholders and the people using insurance services.	”
—Jonathan Hendrix's campaign website (2024)

Campaign finance summary

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

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Jonathan Hendrix campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	Washington Commissioner of Insurance	Lost primary	$0	$0
Grand total			$0	$0
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

See also

2024 Elections

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Candidate

Washington Commissioner of Insurance

Website

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