Oregon Labor Commissioner Christina Stephenson could soon face a notable challenger as she seeks reelection to lead the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI).
State Sen. Dick Anderson, a Republican from Lincoln City, told Oregon Public Broadcasting he is strongly considering entering the race and may announce a decision by the end of the week.
Anderson, midway through a four-year Senate term, would not have to give up his seat to run and could seek reelection if he loses the statewide bid.
Housing Policy at Center of Potential Challenge
Anderson said his campaign would focus heavily on housing policy. He has criticized BOLI under Stephenson for what he views as inflexible interpretations of prevailing wage laws that increase affordable housing construction costs.
Reporting by the Oregon Journalism Project has highlighted concerns that requiring prevailing wages on some affordable housing projects can raise costs by as much as 20% at a time when the state faces a housing shortage.
This year, Anderson introduced Senate Bill 1566 to expand exemptions from prevailing wage requirements for certain affordable housing developments. The bill did not receive a committee vote after opposition from trade unions aligned with Democratic lawmakers and Stephenson.
“I just see this agency, with its interpretations which are inconsistent and different than past commissioners, is stalling production,” Anderson said.
Stephenson’s campaign responded by noting Anderson opposed a 2025 budget bill that increased staffing at BOLI. The commissioner has said her agency is enforcing labor laws as written by the Legislature and maintains that prevailing wage protections benefit workers.
Stephenson, first elected in 2022, previously highlighted efforts to reduce case backlogs, expand apprenticeship opportunities and strengthen child labor protections.
Political Dynamics
Labor commissioner races in Oregon are nonpartisan. A candidate can win outright in the May primary with more than 50% of the vote.
Anderson suggested higher turnout in the May primary — potentially driven by a competitive Republican gubernatorial primary and debate over proposed gas tax increases — could reshape the race.
Still, fundraising could pose a challenge. In 2022, Stephenson raised more than $1.7 million, far outpacing her Republican-backed opponent.
If Anderson enters, he said he would aim to secure a majority in May, calling it a “45-day sprint.” He acknowledged that extending the race to November could make it harder to compete financially.
Beyond Stephenson, one other candidate has filed for the position: Chris Lynch, a former BOLI employee now working for another state agency.
The race could mark one of the more competitive contests for the state’s labor watchdog in recent years.
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