GOP Candidates Embrace Insurance Industry Bills

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Republican candidates for governor say they would back key insurance industry legislation if elected.

Most of the GOP candidates spoke Thursday at a forum hosted by the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.

The candidates were largely supportive of industry legislation, such as the long-debated proposal to let insurance companies consider gender when evaluating risk. Attempts to repeal the state's unique "unisex" insurance law banning such risk analysis have failed many times over the years.

Republicans have a crowded primary, topped perhaps by money leaders and previous officeholders Rick Hill, Corey Stapleton and Ken Miller. The candidates largely agreed on issues from reducing government to developing natural resources.

The candidates also bashed the federal health care bill, and promised to use the office to challenge it.