Oklahoma voters will soon decide who will represent the Republican Party in the race for the next Oklahoma Commissioner of Labor. With current Commissioner Leslie Osborn term-limited, four GOP candidates are competing in the primary election this June.
The winner of the Republican primary will move on to face Democratic candidate Kevin Dawson and Libertarian candidate Mike Hall in the general election.
The Oklahoma Commissioner of Labor is an elected executive officer who leads the Oklahoma Department of Labor. The role includes enforcing wage laws, handling workplace safety issues, overseeing child labor regulations and improving working conditions across the state. The position carries a four-year term.
Here is a simple overview of the Republican candidates.
Lisa Janloo
Lisa Janloo describes herself as a mother, small business owner and community leader. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she founded a homeschool program. She has also served as vice president of the Spencer Chamber of Commerce and chaired the Spencer Parks Board.
Janloo currently works as State Director for the Latinos United for Conservative Action Foundation.
Her campaign focuses on:
- Supporting youth development
- Creating fair workplaces
- Partnering with businesses instead of penalising them
She says she wants to remove the idea that the Labor Department is “scary” and instead promote cooperation with employers. Janloo has also said she wants to help formerly incarcerated individuals find job training and reenter the workforce successfully.
John Pfeiffer
John Pfeiffer is currently the Deputy Floor Leader in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. First elected in 2014, he represents District 38 and will complete his final term in November.
A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Pfeiffer says he brings conservative leadership and a pro-business mindset to the race. His campaign priorities include:
- Protecting small businesses
- Promoting worker freedom
- Supporting Second Amendment rights in the workplace
He has focused on rural issues, agriculture and improving public records access during his time in office. Pfeiffer lives on a ranch in Logan County with his wife and son.
Keith Swinton
Keith Swinton is an inventor and entrepreneur. He previously worked at the U.S. Postal Service’s National Center for Employee Development in Norman and has started several businesses.
Swinton has run for the Commissioner of Labor position before in 2018 and 2022.
He says his leadership experience sets him apart and that the office should make “conservative common sense decisions” based on reliable data.
His main goals include:
- Improving workplace safety
- Increasing wages for Oklahomans
- Strengthening the state’s economy
He has publicly expressed admiration for former President Donald Trump and says he wants to help Oklahoma reach its economic potential.
Kevin West
Kevin West represents District 54 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives and has served since 2016.
During his time in office, he supported legislation related to birth certificate policies and public conduct laws. He also helped author a bill limiting the governor’s authority to close businesses during a pandemic without scientific evidence.
West says his priorities as Labor Commissioner would include:
- Rebuilding skilled trade pipelines
- Promoting workplace safety
- Supporting contractors and small businesses
- Creating a bipartisan task force on AI and automation
He studied construction and business and previously owned a cabinet-making business in Oklahoma City.
What Voters Should Know
Here is a quick comparison of the candidates:
| Candidate | Background | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Lisa Janloo | Business owner, community leader | Partnerships, reentry programs |
| John Pfeiffer | State representative, Marine veteran | Pro-business, rural issues |
| Keith Swinton | Entrepreneur, inventor | Safety, wages, data-driven policy |
| Kevin West | State representative, business owner | Skilled trades, AI task force |
The Republican primary winner will move on to compete against Democratic candidate Kevin Dawson and Libertarian candidate Mike Hall in the general election.
As voters prepare to cast their ballots, they will be choosing a candidate who will oversee workplace safety, wage enforcement and labor standards across Oklahoma.
Each Republican contender highlights conservative values, but their experience and priorities differ. The outcome of the primary will shape how the state approaches labor laws, business regulation and workforce development in the coming years.
