Did you know…?
Did you know that fewer than 4% of members of Congress come from an insurance background?
The numbers are similarly low in the South Carolina State Legislature. By comparison, many elected officials come from legal backgrounds, and a significant number serve on insurance and banking committees at both the state and national levels. That gap says a lot about why broader professional representation matters—especially when legislation affects so many different stakeholders.
That is exactly why The Big “I” (the Association of Independent Insurance Agents) created the Insurance Campaign Institute, held this past April in Washington, DC. I had the privilege of attending this inaugural event alongside 25 other insurance professionals from across the country. Throughout the day, we heard from and engaged with a variety of speakers, including elected officials and political consultants, who shared valuable insight into what someone like me would need to think through if I ever decided to run for public office.
What made this event especially meaningful was that it did more than simply encourage insurance professionals to get involved in the legislative process. It also provided practical guidance on how to run a successful campaign and how to contribute in a more informed and effective way to insurance regulation and public policy.
The Big “I” plans to continue this program for years to come, and I believe that is a good thing for both the industry and the public. The more insurance professionals who are willing to step up and serve, the better the chances of shaping regulatory laws that are balanced, informed, and responsive to the needs of consumers, carriers, legal professionals, and the communities they all serve.
Below is a short video created by the Big I with highlights of the event:
I have also included a link for an article that was published in IA Magazine about the 2026 Insurance Campaign Institute:
Insurance Campaign Institute Prepares Agents to Step Up for Public Office – IA Magazine
Submitted by Micah Witherspoon
