Oregon voters will be choosing a key enforcer of workers’ rights this year. Whoever wins the race for labor commissioner will be in charge of an agency with a $35 million budget and more than 100 employees.
The Bureau of Labor and Industries enforces wage and hour claims and other worker protections. It also supports apprenticeship programs for Oregonians seeking job training and enforces protections against discrimination in housing and public places.
All Oregon voters, even those not affiliated with a political party, can have a say in the May 17 election for labor commissioner.
On that date, if a candidate for labor commissioner gets more than 50% of the vote, that person will win the election outright. But if not, the top two candidates will head to a runoff in November, according to the Secretary of State’s office.
The state’s current labor commissioner, Val Hoyle, in 2018 called it “the most important race you’ve never heard of.” Hoyle, a former state lawmaker, is not seeking reelection because she is running for Congress in District 4.
Eight people are trying to become labor commissioner this year. These are the candidates:
Baca, of Cornelius, says that as a contractor and former electrician he understands both the struggles of small businesses and what it’s like to be part of a union. When he relocated to Oregon from California, he says it was too difficult for him as a journeyman electrician to get qualifications to do...
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