WCDP Election Central – Candidate Information

Braxton Winston

NC Commissioner of Labor

Braxton Winston - NC Commissioner of Labor

Candidate Statement:

Braxton Winston II was born in Camp Lejeune, NC, where his father was stationed in the U.S. Marine Corps. As the child of a Marine and a school teacher, the values of education, public service, and a strong work ethic were ingrained in Braxton at an early age. After graduating from Phillips Academy Andover and Davidson College, he became a union stagehand and a member of our region’s robust sports television and entertainment production community.

Braxton served as a Charlotte City Council At-Large member from 2017-2023 and served as Mayor Pro Tem. Braxton learned during his tenure that communities thrive when their workforces thrive. As the next Commissioner of Labor, he will support North Carolina’s working families and businesses by: ensuring that all workers go to work in a safe environment, advocating for all people to be paid fairly under NC labor laws, and defending workers’ rights no matter where they work. Braxton is running for Commissioner of Labor to make North Carolina the #1 state for business and workers.

Importance of this Race:

This year, CNBC ranked North Carolina as the top state in the country to do business in, for the 2nd year in a row. This is great news for our state’s businesses, and speaks volumes about the efforts of our Governor and our educated and motivated workforce. We may lead in business, but Oxfam ranked North Carolina as the worst state to be a worker when factoring in wages, worker protections, and rights to organize. As the #1 state to do business in, this is unacceptable. Our workers deserve better.

Office Responsibilities:

  • The Commissioner of Labor is the head of the NC Department of Labor and a member of the Council of State.
  • The mission of the Department of Labor is “to foster a safe, healthy, fair and productive North Carolina.”
  • The department provides and encourages education and training, administers regulatory mandates related to labor, and enhances public confidence in the department.
  • One primary responsibility is ensuring the enforcement of all labor laws, including work safety laws.
  • The Commissioner has the power to appoint factory inspectors, assistants, and other employees to aid with this vital work.

Issues:

Workplace Safety:

All work, from factories to classrooms, should be done in a safe working environment.​ As NC Commissioner of Labor, I will team up with employers and employees to amplify preventative practices across industries, especially with our workers who experience extreme heat on the job — like our sanitation workers, farm workers, letter carriers, construction workers, and so many other industries in NC.

Fair Wages:

Whether they are construction workers building our cities or meatpackers from out east, North Carolina’s laborers deserve to feel confident that they are bringing home a fair day’s pay. As Commissioner of Labor, I will prioritize informing all workers of their rights under the law and ensuring businesses are following our fair wage laws and rules. We must promote a fair market amongst all business owners, who are competing for the same workers within industries.

A Fully-staffed Workforce:

The NC Department of Labor is struggling to fully staff its team. For example, 25 of 108 compliance officer roles in the budget are vacant. It’s vital we have a fully staffed compliance team so every roller coaster, ski lift, and ride at county fairs is inspected correctly and on time. As the next NC Commissioner of Labor, I will make it a top priority to close staffing gaps and ensure these life-saving inspections continue across the state. I will work with leaders in business, labor unions, personnel services, and our communities to make sure we are doing everything possible to match our workforce with available jobs.

External Candidate Links:

Braxton Winston's Website
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