Editor's note: Oregon Abigail Adams Voter Education Project equips voters with information on how candidates stand on issues through a questionnaire process featured in comparison guides.

The race for Commissioner of Bureau of Labor and Industries is in default mode. If one of the seven candidates running in the Primary would have received over 50 percent of the votes, the race would be over. Since none received the required 50 percent, the top two candidates are now in a run-off in the General Election. The office ensures lawful and fair practices in employment and housing, develops trade skills training and handles complaints on unfair practices and safety. Christina Stephenson, a civil rights attorney, is competing against Cheri Helt, a restaurant business owner in the run-off race.

Stephenson received her Bachelor’s degree in International Politics from American University where she was a facilitator in the Office of Community Action and Social Justice. She moved from California in 2011 to get her Doctoral degree and Public Interest Certificate from University of Oregon School of Law. She joined with Robert Meyer to open Meyer Stephenson law firm. She is a board member of the Multnomah County Commission on Economic Dignity.

As an attorney Stephenson has worked with people of all types all across the state to help them enforce their civil rights. Stephenson worked with the Oregon AFL-CIO union in passing Oregon's Workplace Fairness Act, which imposed sweeping new requirements on Oregon employers in response to the #MeToo movement, and outlawed non-disclosure and non-competing agreements. As Commissioner, she says she knows that businesses that don't play by the rules shouldn't have a competitive advantage and will “invest in the technical assistance Oregon businesses need to stay compliant with Oregon laws.”

Stephenson has also advocated and testified for the Equal Pay Act in Oregon, bereavement leave to be added to the Oregon Family Leave Act, whistleblower protections under state law, and elevate apprenticeships to be a key part of our transition to a climate-resilient economy. Stephenson promises to “ensure that BOLI's actions align with our climate goals. This includes reducing waste, making climate-sensitive procurement decisions, and investing in sustainable infrastructure.”

Stephenson’s focus on discrimination has made her an advocate for LGBTQ workers facing challenges, including not being allowed to use the restroom that aligns with their gender, being harassed or fired because of gender identity or sexual orientation, and not being addressed by the correct name or pronouns. She says, “Your employer should never discriminate against you because of your gender or sexual identity, and it is illegal if they do. As Labor Commissioner, [I] will protect queer and trans workers by helping LGBTQ workers know their rights; enforcing non-discrimination laws; and making sure that employers follow the rules.”

Cheri Helt is co-owner with husband Steve of Zydeco Kitchen & Cocktails Restaurant and Bistro 28. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Michigan State University. She served on the Bend-LaPine School Board for nine years and State Representative for two years. She says, “I bring 18 years of firsthand knowledge of the impacts rules and regulations have on employees and employers. Oregon needs balanced policies and systems we can count on.” She decided to run after experiencing the strains of the COVID-19 pandemic on her small business and losing a third of their workers. “I’m really excited about the issues the office works on, creating more job opportunities and increasing career and technical training to build a good future for Oregon,” Helt said in an interview.

Cheri and Steve Helt walk their talk. As Representative, she voted for family medical leave, and now they support 60 employees with 100% employer-paid health benefits and generous retirement benefits. She knows how policies affect businesses. When it comes to leadership and policy, Helt considers herself a public servant, not an active partisan. She rejects the rigid left-right extremes that too often define politics today and believes the best solutions are found when people come together and find common ground.

Since Helt’s leaving office, she has remained involved in legislative issues around housing, education and supported a pilot for homeless youth. Helt’s platform is to lead the fight an be a trusted ally of Oregon working families. She states she will “vigorously defend workers’ civil rights and right to receive fair pay for their hard work, and partner with employers, employees and homebuilders to create more affordable workforce housing,” which she sought solutions for in the legislature. She would like to “strengthen and expand access to apprenticeship programs,” and “position Oregon’s workforce and small businesses to propel a growing and sustainable Oregon economy that benefits all workers.”

The new Commissioner will face challenging changes in employment as more workers have moved to work from home, which is largely unregulated. There will no doubt be more cases between religious business owners and what LGBTQ view as their equal rights among other controversial issues. The two candidates have two different perspectives to address issues, which makes the race unpredictable.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-09-09 11:03:28

Last Update: 2022-09-09 11:16:52