Chris Lynch

Chris Lynch earned a high school diploma from Lincoln High School. As of 2026, he is retired.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I have 14 years of experience working at BOLI, starting as an intern, and eventually rising to operations manager in the Civil Rights Division. I have additional experience working as an enforcement manager with Oregon OSHA. I understand the actual work of state enforcement agencies on both a granular and a comprehensive level. Prior to working in government, I spent over two decades working for small employers. I have first-hand experience with the struggles and conflicts that can arise in the workplace. BOLI is broken, but it can be fixed. I know the work, and I know the people there are ready and committed to do that work. They just need the right leader to give them clear direction and support.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Chris Lynch will restore a culture of transparency and honesty to BOLI. The public and the legislature deserve honest answers to hard questions. The current commissioner’s office responds to inquiries about the agency’s condition with vague references to ever-changing and misleading data – it is a shell game being played inside a black box. BOLI will never be able to satisfy everyone’s hopes, but it can be an agency that is worthy of respect.Chris Lynch will restore collaborative problem-solving at BOLI. The challenges at BOLI cannot be overcome by a siloed commissioner’s office that does not communicate effectively with staff. The people who work at BOLI know the issues, and the pros and cons of the potential solutions. A leader who does not recognize and leverage that knowledge and commitment is failing Oregon.Chris Lynch will ensure that BOLI is fair, effective, and efficient in triaging and investigating claims. Whether you are someone who wants to file a claim, or you have been accused of violating a law, you deserve an enforcement agency led by a commissioner who prioritizes due process and fidelity to statutory obligations.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

My overarching passion and goal is to help restore trust in government. Whether you believe that we need more government, or that we should have limited government, I believe the overwhelming majority of Oregonians want the actual government we have to be transparent, fair, effective, and efficient. Government leaders must remember that they are stewards of the public trust, and that the public is more than a collection of competing special interest groups. Enforcement of our laws must be done without fear or favor, and with humility and respect. I have been honored to be a public servant, and as commissioner, I would dedicate myself completely to these principles.