Tampa Bay Times
As Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet prepare to resume the search for a new insurance commissioner Tuesday, a few legislators are weighing in with their own endorsements of candidates to be Kevin McCarty’s successor.
Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, sent Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater a glowing recommendation for Ray Blacklidge, a friend and constituent in Pinellas Park who has an extensive background in various forms of insurance. Blacklidge was added to the list of candidates last week by Atwater.
In a letter, Latvala describes Blacklidge as a “national expert on no fault automobile insurance” with more than 30 years of executive experience in the property and casualty insurance industry. Blacklidge, 55, is an executive of two write-your-own insurance carriers, American Traditions Insurance Company and Modern USA Insurance Company, and Latvala said his “remarkable experience and commitment to the citizens of our state” makes him an excellent candidate.
