Hudgens Re-Elected to Georgia Insurance Commissioner Post

Republican Ralph Hudgens has won re-election as Georgia insurance commissioner against two opponents.

According to early returns Tuesday, Hudgens beat Democrat Liz Johnson and Libertarian Ted Metz.

During his first term as insurance commissioner, Hudgens served as one of Georgia’s biggest critics of the federal Affordable Care Act championed by President Barack Obama. Last year, Hudgens told a Republican group he was doing “everything in our power to be an obstructionist” as the health care law took effect.

Johnson, an insurance agent, criticized Hudgens for putting health care politics before more than 300,000 Georgians who signed up for insurance under the state health exchange.

Hudgens raised more than $1 million to fund his campaign. Johnson reported raising just over $27,000.