Cafiero for Insurance Commissioner Press Release:
May 8, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, May 8, 2006
For More Information:
Larry Cafiero, Green candidate for Insurance Commissioner
831-429-2499 / 831-438-1401 / larry4inscomm@earthlink.net

Attention: Political Desk

Bustamante may be losing weight, but he's fattening up on
insurance industry contributions; Voters will 'lose' more
than pounds if Cruz wins, warns Green Party candidate

SANTA CRUZ -- While Cruz Bustamante's personal weight "loss" is apparently his priority in his run for Insurance Commissioner, it's the people of California who stand to "lose" much more than a few pounds if they elect the front-running Democrat, said the Green Party's candidate in the race Monday.

"I want to commend the lieutenant governor for losing 40 pounds, which now makes me the heaviest candidate in the field," said Larry Cafiero, 48, the Green Party's candidate for Insurance Commissioner. Cafiero -- unopposed in the Green Party primary June 6 -- is 5 feet 9 inches tall and 263 pounds.

But Cafiero said he doesn't consider this a campaign issue.

"The lieutenant governor is missing the point of what's important to Californians," said Cafiero. "What really needs to be 'lost' is the so-called workers compensation 'reform,' which should be replaced by true change that places prompt and proper medical care for injured workers statewide. The 'reform' has cost injured workers a drop of 70 percent, on the average, of their benefits prior to 2004," added Cafiero.

Another "loss" to consumers, according to Cafiero, is because the lieutenant governor continues to "bulk up" on insurance industry campaign contributions. Should Bustamante be elected, the people of California would have an Insurance Commissioner beholden to the insurance companies more than to the people of California, said Cafiero.

"If Cruz really wants to set a 'healthy' example, he can start by returning the campaign contributions from the insurance industry," Cafiero said. "That shedding of excess insurance industry pork barrel fat would really be impressive."

Cafiero also questioned Bustamante's obsession with his weight, asking if the leading Democrat's campaign is all about "Cruz the lesser," or about the people of California?

"According to the lieutenant governor, both in the press and in the statewide voter guide, it's about the former. And, no matter how much weight my opponent loses, the biggest loss, if he wins, will be borne by the people of California," warned Cafiero.

-30-