Nikki Porcher

Nikki Porcher served in the U.S. Air Force. She earned a high school diploma from the Burlington County Institute of Technology. Her career experience includes working as a public-school teacher and small-business advocate.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m Nikki Porcher a U.S. Air Force veteran, former public-school teacher, and community leader who has spent my career helping people and small businesses build stronger futures.

From my time in uniform to the classroom and now working across Georgia to strengthen local economies, I’ve seen how hard Georgians work and how often our systems fail to work for us. Too many people struggle to find good jobs, access training, or get the support they deserve when they need it most.

I’m running for Georgia Labor Commissioner because I believe work should work for everyone. I’ll protect workers, expand job training and apprenticeships, partner with small businesses to grow local jobs, modernize how the Department of Labor serves the public, and address the childcare challenges that keep too many families out of the workforce.

Georgia’s workforce deserves leadership that’s transparent, accountable, and committed to creating opportunity in every corner of the state.

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?

Open Doors through Training

I’ll expand access to technical colleges, apprenticeships, and workforce programs that prepare Georgians for good-paying, local jobs.Partner with Small Businesses

Small businesses drive Georgia’s economy. I’ll build partnerships that help them hire, train, and retain workers in every community.Expand Access to Childcare

Affordable, reliable childcare is essential to a strong workforce. I’ll work to remove barriers that keep parents, especially women, from rejoining the workforce.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I’m passionate about policies that strengthen Georgia’s workforce and expand opportunity. My focus is on workforce development, small business growth, fair labor standards, and childcare access. I support expanding apprenticeships and job training, enforcing wage protections, and modernizing the Department of Labor to be efficient and transparent. I also believe childcare is essential economic infrastructure — families can’t work if care isn’t available or affordable. When we invest in people, businesses, and fairness, Georgia’s economy grows stronger for everyone.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

The Department of Labor touches nearly every household in Georgia. It connects people to jobs, provides unemployment support, and sets workplace standards that affect both employees and employers. Unlike most agencies, it directly impacts how quickly families recover after job loss or how easily businesses can hire. It’s where economic policy meets people’s real lives, making it one of the most critical offices for Georgia’s future.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My very first job was at Checkers when I was 16, the summer before my junior year of high school. I thought I was just getting a job turns out, I was getting a crash course in patience, people, and fries at lightning speed. I worked there for two years and learned what real hustle looks like. It’s also where I realized every job deserves respect, and every worker deserves to be treated like they matter even if they smell like fries at the end of the shift.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

Many don’t realize the Labor Commissioner can shape how workforce grants and training funds are distributed across the state. This office influences which programs get resources and which communities get access. The Commissioner can also lead partnerships that connect technical colleges, employers, and job seekers turning workforce development into a driver of local growth.