Oklahoma voters will pick a new labor commissioner on Tuesday, Nov. 3, choosing among three candidates with competing visions for the state Department of Labor.

Republican Kevin West of Moore, Democrat Kevin Dawson of Norman and Libertarian Mike Hall of Oklahoma City are on the ballot. The winner will serve a four-year term, replacing Labor Commissioner Leslie Osborn, who is term-limited and cannot seek reelection, according to Oklahoma Voice.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The commissioner leads an agency that enforces state labor laws, handles wage disputes, regulates workplace safety and issues occupational licenses, according to KOSU. The department also inspects elevators, amusement rides and boilers.

Kevin West, Republican

West has served as a state representative since 2016, representing parts of Cleveland and Oklahoma counties in House District 54, KGOU reported. Before joining the Legislature, he spent 40 years in the cabinetry industry, working on construction sites and running his own business in Oklahoma City.

West won the Republican nomination in an Aug. 25 runoff, defeating fellow Rep. John Pfeiffer with more than 58% of the vote, according to CityNews OKC.

"The role of commissioner is supposed to be the elected official who is the voice for the working people," West said, according to CityNews OKC. "If you're helping the working people, you're helping the businesses by proxy."

West said he would review the department's administrative rules and simplify what he called "outdated rules and regulations." He also wants to expand CareerTech partnerships to connect young people with apprenticeships and skilled-trade jobs, KGOU reported.

Kevin Dawson, Democrat

Dawson spent 43 years in the railroad industry before retiring in 2022, working as a locomotive engineer, union representative and safety manager, according to NonDoc. He settled in Norman and described himself as a "proud union member" on his campaign website, KOSU reported.

Dawson said his top priorities would include protecting workers from wage theft, enforcing child labor protections and ensuring safe workplaces. He pushed back against calls to reduce the department's regulatory role, saying safety needs to come first, Oklahoma Voice reported.

To address a staffing shortage of inspectors, Dawson said the Legislature may need to provide more money so the agency can fulfill its responsibilities and pay staff competitively, Oklahoma Voice reported.

Mike Hall, Libertarian

Hall is an engineer and project manager at an Oklahoma City construction materials firm with more than 36 years of experience, NonDoc reported. He described himself as a political newcomer.

Hall said the agency needs to reduce what he called "regulatory bloat." He opposes growing the department's budget, arguing the agency should allocate its current resources better, Oklahoma Voice reported.

Hall said he would consider outsourcing routine inspections, such as for elevators and boilers, to private-sector contractors. He also said he would review all state licensing requirements to make sure they protect public safety rather than block competition, KGOU reported.

What's at stake

The Department of Labor told Fox 25 in July that it faced a staffing shortage for elevator inspectors, Oklahoma Voice reported. The state issues 51 occupational licenses, NonDoc reported. All three candidates agreed the agency should take an educational approach to enforcement when possible rather than relying on punitive fines.

Where they differ: Dawson favors asking the Legislature for more funding. West and Hall lean toward contracting with private-sector inspectors in the short term and reviewing occupational licenses for possible consolidation.

Unofficial results will be posted at results.okelections.gov after polls close at 7 p.m.