Topeka ? The candidates for Kansas insurance commissioner are having a forum next month in Wichita.

The event is Oct. 17 at the Wichita Marriott hotel and is sponsored by the Kansas Association of Insurance Agents. The forum is part of an annual conference.

Republican nominee Ken Selzer and Democratic candidate Dennis Anderson are running to replace retiring three-term GOP incumbent Sandy Praeger.

Praeger, of Lawrence, has been unusual among prominent Republicans for publicly defending the federal health care overhaul championed by Democratic President Barack Obama. She’s also broken with her party to endorse Anderson.

The Democrat is from Overland Park and operates a family business providing educational services to insurance and financial services firms.

Selzer is as a certified public accountant and a global reinsurance company executive. He is from Leawood.