Dem leads in Insurance Commissioner race

Democrat Wayne Goodwin was leading two other candidates in the race to replace longtime Insurance Commissioner Jim Long, who has served six terms.

With 63 of 100 counties reporting, Goodwin was ahead of Republican John Odom 50.9 percent to Odom's 45.2 percent, according to the State Board of Elections' early, unofficial returns.

Goodwin, a former state legislator, served as a deputy to Long. Odom is a former Raleigh City Council member who owns auto-repair businesses.

The insurance market on the state's coastal property was a major issue. The government-created insurance plan -- known as the Beach Plan -- was intended as a safety net for coastal property owners, but it has become the dominant form of insurance. It does not have enough funds to cover damage from a major hurricane. Homeowners around the state would likely have to pick up the slack.

Both candidates offered ideas to head off this problem.

Goodwin, 41, said he would examine Beach Plan rates for fairness and propose a new constitutionally protected catastrophe fund.

Odom, 61, proposed charging higher rates to out-of-state residents who own coastal property.

Mark McMains of Fuquay-Varina, who owns an auto body shop and two towing companies, ran as a Libertarian. He trailed with 3.8 percent of the vote.