Labor Commissioner Race

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AIR DATE: Monday, October 15th 2012

POSTED BY: JULIE SABATIER

Download the mp3 for this show.

State Senator Bruce Starr is challenging sitting Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian in this nonpartisan statewide race. The labor commissioner is responsible for some key areas of state government, including:

Enforcing equal employment laws
Enforcing laws that pertain to wages, overtime, working conditions and family leave
Keeping employers informed about employment laws and policies
Regulating apprenticeship programs

It's a close race between these two candidates, who are pretty different from each other. While the commissioner's job is nonpartisan, the candidates' party loyalties are clear. Starr has served in the state legislature as a Republican for over a decade. Before Avakian became labor commissioner in 2008, he served in the Oregon legislature as a Democrat.

Are you following this race? What would you like to ask the candidates?

GUESTS:

Brad Avakian: Oregon Labor Commissioner currently running for reelection
Bruce Starr: Oregon state senator (R-Hillsboro) and candidate for Oregon Labor Commissioner

Tagged as: 2012 election · economy · jobs · labor · politics

Photo credit: Marie Richie / Creative Commons