Democratic nominees Nikki Porcher and Kevin Dawson announce mutual endorsements and interstate partnership focused on workforce development and workplace safety
This is bigger than two candidates or two elections. It is about showing what is possible when leaders are willing to look beyond their own state lines, learn from one another, and work together.”
ATLANTA, GA, UNITED STATES, September 3, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Democratic Labor Commissioner nominees Nikki Porcher of Georgia and Kevin Dawson of Oklahoma are joining forces, announcing their mutual endorsements and a commitment to work together to strengthen the institutions that serve working people.— Nikki Porcher and Kevin Dawson
Georgia and Oklahoma are two of only four states where voters directly elect their labor commissioner, giving voters a direct say this November in who will lead their states' labor departments. Porcher and Dawson say their partnership is about more than two campaigns supporting each other. It reflects a larger belief that states and Democratic leaders should be learning from one another, sharing successful ideas, and working together to address workforce challenges that do not stop at state borders.
“Kevin and I are running in different states, but we are hearing many of the same concerns,” said Porcher. “Working people want to know that they can earn a living, come home safely, build new skills, and have somewhere to turn when a job disappears. Employers need skilled workers and a government that can respond to a changing economy. These challenges don't stop at the Georgia state line, and our ideas shouldn't either,” added Porcher.
Dawson, a longtime workplace safety professional and union member, has centered his Oklahoma campaign on workplace safety, enforcement, worker protections, education, and accountability.
“Oklahoma workers are facing many of the same pressures as working people across the country,” Dawson said. “They are concerned about workplace safety, wages that have not kept pace with the cost of living, and how rapidly changing technology will affect their jobs. They also want better pathways to education and training that lead to good-paying jobs, strong benefits, greater job security, and real opportunities to advance.”
“Oklahoma’s motto is ‘Labor Omnia Vincit,’ labor conquers all things, and I believe that when we value work and the people who perform it, we create greater opportunity not only for workers, but for families, businesses, and entire communities. Labor Commissioners should be working together across state lines because the challenges facing workers, employers, and state labor departments do not stop at a state border,” explained Dawson.
The candidates bring different experiences to their races but share a vision for Labor Departments that are more accessible to the people they serve.
Porcher, an Air Force veteran, former public school teacher, and entrepreneur, is campaigning to modernize Georgia's unemployment system, expand workforce development and apprenticeships, strengthen workplace safety and worker-rights education, improve access to services across all 159 counties, and better connect Georgians with the skills and opportunities of a changing economy.
Dawson brings more than four decades of workplace safety experience to his campaign. His priorities include strengthening workplace safety, enforcing labor laws, educating workers and employers, protecting working people, and restoring trust and accountability in the Oklahoma Department of Labor.
“We are proud to endorse one another because we recognize each of us is committed to working people,” Porcher and Dawson said in a joint statement. “But this is bigger than two candidates or two elections. It is about showing what is possible when leaders are willing to look beyond their state lines, learn from one another, and work together. We may serve state by state, but together we can build a better country.”
As part of their partnership, Porcher and Dawson will host an upcoming public conversation on the future of work and the role of elected Labor Commissioners. Details will be announced separately.
About Nikki Porcher
Nikki Porcher is the Democratic nominee for Georgia Commissioner of Labor. An Air Force veteran, former public school teacher, entrepreneur, and founder of Buy From A Black Woman, Porcher is running to build a Georgia where work works for everyone by creating a more modern, accessible, accountable, and responsive Georgia Department of Labor.
About Kevin Dawson
Kevin Dawson is the Democratic nominee for Oklahoma Labor Commissioner. With more than four decades of experience in safety-critical workplaces and some of the most unforgiving working environments, Dawson has worked around hazardous materials, workplace safety, employee training and education, incident investigations, labor relations, and organizational leadership. He brings both management and union experience to a campaign focused on workplace safety, worker protections, education, enforcement, accountability, and restoring trust in the Oklahoma Department of Labor.
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