commissioner of labor

In his four terms as Labor Commissioner, John Brooks did more for working people in North Carolina than any commissioner before him or since him - and that includes former Commissioner Payne. There are more pro-labor precedents in the case law books under John's name than under any other commissioner - go check it out in the law library to make sure!

Hi folks! I wanted to take a moment to say hello and to thank Betsy and James for organizing a live blog on Wednesday (June 18th) at 7pm. Thank you also to the BlueNC community for your interest in the Labor Commissioner's race. I'm excited to exchange ideas with all of you on Wednesday, and I welcome your questions.

As many of you know, I'm running for N.C. Commissioner of Labor. Thanks to all of you who took an early interest in this race, including those of you who worked hard for Robin Anderson. Robin was a strong candidate, and I respect her immensely. I'm honored to have her support moving forward.

For part of 2006, all of 2007 and early 2008 my daily blogging life revolved around getting John Edwards elected President. During that time I did what I could to make it happen, not nearly as much as volunteers like NCDem Amy and Tom P. and not a drop in the bucket compared to the paid staff - Tracy Russo, Aaron Myers and the rest of the crew I got to know while volunteering at the office. When Senator Edwards dropped out of the race it felt like a kick in the groin. It was unexpected, it was painful. To me, John Edwards was really going to be the person that changed the system. I believe in him like people believed in JFK and RFK and as I told my wife "you only get one of these races every lifetime" and for me it wasn't or isn't about Obama it was about John Edwards.
But, he's out. So, after fluttering around for awhile I discovered the second-best candidate running in North Carolina, Dan Besse. Then, finally, I started blogging about the Neal/Hagan race. But, the thrill is gone. I'm all burnt out of candidate fights. I'm burnt out on fighting over he said/she said. I'm going back to issue blogging. At least, for now. So, this is it. This is my final blog on candidates.

This is the first specific idea for a new policy of the election cycle.

Back from the cold of New Hampshire I have found a new job. And it involves lots of conversations about chickens and elevators.