North Carolina Commissioner of Labor

Braxton Winston II

Braxton Winston II is the Democratic nominee for North Carolina's commissioner of labor. 

Winston has held several leadership roles throughout his life, most notably as an active member and mayor pro tem of Charlotte City Council from 2017 to 2023. He has also worked for the Delaware College Scholars Program as the Charlotte liaison, college counselor and humanities instructor.

Winston hopes to keep North Carolina ranked not only as one of the best states to do business, but also a good state for workers, according to his website. Winston's mission is to focus on fair wages, fully staffing the workforce post pandemic and enforcing workers rights. 

Winston also believes in the “whole worker” approach, described as an acknowledgement of the department of labors responsibility to workers safety during and after their shifts. This includes efforts to reduce food deserts, close the digital divide and train the future workforce and eliminate poverty. Winston's approach also addresses access and affordability for things such as health care, child care, transportation and housing. 

Winston’s campaign describes him as an experienced leader with an intent to continue to connect with the community during his term in office. 

Luke Farley

Luke Farley is the Republican candidate running for North Carolina's commissioner of labor. Farley’s website describes him as a Christian, conservative, North Carolina local who wants to keep workers safe, healthy and employed. He has been endorsed by former Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry.

Farley’s main goals are to improve workplace safety, support vocational and technical education, and overcome legislation Farley believes limits productivity and workers individual rights. For example, Farley is against company mandated COVID-19 vaccinations and President Joe Biden’s heat stress regulations — a law that requires companies to give additional break time and limits based on temperatures.

As labor commissioner, Farley also intends to keep North Carolina a right-to-work state by maintaining laws that prevent employers from requiring workers to join unions or pay union fees as a term of employment.