Christina Stephenson

Christina Stephenson graduated from Hillsboro High School. She earned a B.A. in international studies from American University in 2005 and a J.D. from the University of Oregon in 2009.[1] Stephenson's career experience includes owning a business and working as a civil rights attorney.[2][3]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

When Oregonians first elected me to lead the Bureau of Labor and Industries, I saw a state agency that was working hard but falling further and further behind in protecting workers, supporting registered apprenticeships, and enforcing wage and discrimination laws.

Over the last two and a half years, we've worked hard to change that; and, together, we've made enormous progress. With bipartisan support, labor and business leaders, and a coalition of Oregonians, we secured a historic investment in BOLI: more staff, new technology, and stronger support for workers and employers alike.

That means more enforcement of wage laws. More registered apprenticeships to build pathways to good-paying jobs. Better access for workers across communities. And a renewed commitment to fairness for all Oregonians.

I've also worked to:

- Close a loophole in child labor law

- Create an Alternative Dispute Resolution and Mediation team to make resolution faster for workers and employers

- Build a dedicated Employer Assistance Division

- Improve access with translated materials and new disability access tools

- Make it easier for workers to report violations and connect with resources

This work matters deeply, but there's more to do. I'm running for re-election as your Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries to continue building a stronger, fairer Oregon where every worker has a fair shot, and every employer has the tools to do right by their employees.

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?

I took over an agency that had been underfunded for years and I told the truth about it. We secured the largest staffing investment in BOLI's history, adding 46 new positions to rebuild the agency's capacity to serve workers and employers. Since January 2023, we have returned more than $17 million to workers, reduced the wage and hour intake backlog by 20%, reduced the civil rights intake backlog by 38%, and eliminated the apprenticeship compliance backlog entirely. I have the track record and the plan to finish what we started.The work is not finished. We have made real, measurable progress, but the backlogs are not fully cleared, the staffing plan is not fully implemented, and the systems we have built need time to mature. Oregon needs a Commissioner with the experience and credibility to see this rebuild through. I am running to finish the job I was elected to do.Every worker in Oregon deserves real protections, not just words on paper. That means stronger enforcement, multilingual resources, clear guidance for employers, and an agency that meets people where they are. As Commissioner, I have built new programs to deliver on that promise: an alternative dispute resolution program that has returned millions to workers faster, an expanded Employer Assistance Diciion, and enforcement guidance to protect workers regardless of immigration status. Strong enforcement and clear guidance work together -- and that is how BOLI should operate.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Workers' rights and wage enforcement. Civil rights protections - including protections based on race, gender identity, disability, and immigration status. Registered apprenticeship and workforce development, particularly making sure the skilled trades are a real, accessible path to a good career. Protecting workers from retaliation. Making government agencies work the way they are supposed to - transparently, efficiently, and with accountability to the people they serve.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley; Oregon State Fire Fighters Council; Oregon Working Families Party; Oregon Nurses Association; American Federation of Teachers Oregon; Basic Rights Oregon PAC; Service Employees International Union - Oregon; Oregon Labor Federation, AFL-CIO; Oregon State Building & Construction Trades Council; Oregon & Southern Idaho District Council of Laborers.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Born and raised in Oregon, I am a mom, a small business owner, and a civil rights attorney. I’m running because I fundamentally believe Oregon should be the best place to live and work in this country. My day job is representing workers whose employers don’t follow the rules enshrined by Oregon’s Bureau of Labor and Industries. My tiny law firm has gone toe-to-toe with Wall Street’s biggest banks and enormous multinational companies on behalf of workers and we’ve won. I also understand the challenges businesses face in today’s economy. I own and operate a small business that I started at the kitchen table when my son was three months old. I know what it means to run payroll for my employees before I pay myself – whether it’s March of 2020 or a banner year. Whatever industry you work in, whether it’s ranching, tourism, or healthcare, Oregon makes you a promise: if you work hard and play by the rules, there’s someone who’s looking out for you, who wants you to win. That’s a promise I want to uphold as Oregon’s next Labor Commissioner.

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?

Working families and small businesses are struggling with rising costs and workforce shortages. In some of our high-skill industries, the worker shortage is already a worker crisis – industries like healthcare, construction, and high-tech manufacturing. This is why my top priority will be developing the skilled workforce we need by expanding our apprenticeship model to remove barriers and incorporate more industries. Through this workforce training, we can help Oregonians gain the skills they need to earn a raise, whether or not they have a college degree. And, I will work to keep people employed in good jobs by enforcing the laws that protect them at work.When it comes to enforcement, by taking a more strategic approach to the cases and violations that come before the agency, we can better utilize the scarce resources of the agency to root out discrimination and wage theft. This approach will also free up resources to ensure that our small businesses can get the support they need to navigate the workplace rules that they have to follow. Through strategic enforcement, BOLI can serve as an important resource to those employers who want to do the right thing but are struggling to just keep their doors open.I have over a decade of experience working with the Bureau of Labor and Industries and the laws that it enforces. I have dedicated my life to being a champion for working families and small businesses. The broad support I have built, including the five previous Labor Commissioners, is a reflection of the hard work and dedication I will bring to this role.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

As a small business owner, I am deeply invested in career readiness. As Oregon’s next Labor Commissioner, I am eager to expand Oregon’s great apprenticeship programs to provide a pathway to economic stability, address our workforce shortages, and, frankly, by meeting workers where they are at. That means increasing flexibility in how workers can participate in paid apprenticeships; obtaining funding for childcare, transportation, and other tools that are vital to successfully completing apprenticeships; and expanding into industries like healthcare, education, and childcare. I believe this model can be used effectively to make many family-wage careers more accessible and help diversify our workforce.

As a civil rights attorney, I have dedicated my career to making sure that Oregon workers maintain their dignity and their economic stability. As Labor Commissioner, I will address the issues of wage theft, discrimination, and harassment by pursuing and rapidly scaling Strategic Enforcement – proactively investigating workplaces with a history of not doing right by workers, instead of only reacting to complaints.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I'm a civil rights attorney, small business owner, and mother, born and raised in Washington County. As a civil rights attorney, I've had years of experience taking on big special interests -- and winning on behalf of Oregon working families. As an advocate, I've been active in Salem where I helped negotiate and draft groundbreaking policies for workers and families, including Oregon's landmark Paid Family Medical Leave and Equal Pay laws. Now, I'm running for State Representative to stand up to powerful interest groups and create a more fair and just Oregon for all. The recent Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted so many inequities within our current systems, so we need elected leaders who will bring action and results for Oregonians, rather than rattling off talking points. I'm ready to do just that.

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?

I will prioritize affordable and equitable access to housing, education, and care (healthcare, childcare, eldercare).I will be a leader in our transition to a climate-resilient economy that works for all and where we can level the playing field for small businesses.I am committed to protecting the rights of working people and will fight for workplace safety and healthcare for all workers - including gig and contract workers.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about finding efficiencies in our systems so that we can best utilize scarce resources.