The Oklahoma Department of Labor is rarely in the limelight but stays active in the background of state government. The agency’s duties include investigating wage theft, enforcing child labor laws and administering 51 occupational licenses.
With incumbent Labor Commissioner Leslie Osborn termlimited, Oklahoma voters will elect someone new to lead the agency on Nov. 3. Here’s a breakdown of the three candidates and their platforms, compiled through publicly available information: The Candidates:
• Republican Kevin West, a state representative and business owner from Moore.
• Democrat Kevin Dawson, a retired railroad industry worker from Yukon.
• Libertarian Mike Hall, an engineer and project manager from Oklahoma City.
Their Platforms:
• West built a reputation as a staunch conservative in the state House, authoring bills to ban obscene performances in public places and grant legal protections to motorists fleeing a riot. If elected labor commissioner, he says he will work to expand trade programs in high schools and guarantee fair bidding on public contracts. He supports a collaborative, “teach before you fine” approach to ensure businesses comply with state labor standards.
• Dawson cites more than four decades of experience in the railroad industry, including as a locomotive engineer, as proof he’s ready for the job. He says he would crack down on child labor violations, protect workers from wage theft and improve efficiency within the Department of Labor.
• Hall describes himself as a political newcomer who would streamline bureaucratic processes and examine occupational licensing requirements. He opposes state-mandated wage floors and believes that gig workers, such as Uber drivers, should remain classified as independent contractors
