Luke Farley

Luke Farley
20th Labor Commissioner of North Carolina
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 1, 2025
GovernorJosh Stein
Preceded byJosh Dobson
Personal details
Born1985 (age 40–41)
Jacksonville, North Carolina, U.S.
PartyRepublican
Children3
EducationUniversity of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (BA)
Wake Forest University (JD)

Luke John Farley (born 1985) is an American politician and attorney who has served as the 19th and current North Carolina Commissioner of Labor since 2025. A member of the Republican Party, he supports right-to-work laws, vocational education and apprenticeship programs, while opposing vaccination mandates for workers.

Early life and career

Farley was born in 1986 in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and was raised in Onslow County. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his Juris Doctor from Wake Forest University School of Law.

Before running for office, Farley worked as an OSHA attorney in private practice for over 14 years.

North Carolina Labor Commissioner

In October 2023, Farley declared his candidacy for North Carolina commissioner of labor after incumbent commissioner Josh Dobson announced he wouldn't seek re-election. In March 2024, he defeated several candidates in the Republican primary, including state representative Jon Hardister. Farley was endorsed during the primary by former Labor commissioner Cherie Berry, while Hardister was endorsed by commissioner Josh Dobson.

Farley faced former Charlotte city councilman Braxton Winston in the 2024 North Carolina commissioner of labor election. Winston campaigned on progressive issues and increasing the minimum wage while Farley supported increasing occupational safety and health as well as his "Make Elevators Great Again" program. Farley received the endorsement of the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce during the race and defeated Winston in the general election by over 300,000 votes.

On January 1, 2025, Farley was sworn in as the 19th Labor commissioner of North Carolina.

Personal life

Farley is a religious Christian. He is married to his wife; they have three sons and live in Raleigh, North Carolina.

References

  1. ↑ "Labor candidate: North Carolina faces challenges keeping workers safe". The Charlotte Observer. September 17, 2024. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
  2. 1 2 "Meet Luke Farley". luke4labor.com. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
  3. 1 2 Alexander, Ames (June 27, 2024). "How can NC protect worker lives? Labor commissioner candidates offer different answers". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
  4. ↑ Matsuoka, Sayaka (2024). "NC Commissioner of Labor Race". Triad City Beat. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Farley formally enters that GOP race for Labor Commissioner". NC Political News. July 24, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Two NC House Republicans look to succeed Dobson". North State Journal. December 21, 2022. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Current and recent North Carolina labor commissioners back rival GOP candidates for the job". Associated Press. August 2, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
  8. ↑ "North Carolina Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson endorses state Rep. Hardister to succeed him". Associated Press. July 26, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  9. ↑ Harrison, Steve (April 29, 2023). "Braxton Winston to run for NC labor commissioner in 2024; won't seek another City Council term". WFAE. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  10. ↑ Gleason, Sarah (September 17, 2024). "North Carolina Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson endorses state Rep. Hardister to succeed him". Asheville Citizen-Times. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
  11. ↑ Sands, Alexandria (March 13, 2024). "Braxton Winston faces Luke Farley in election to protect NC workers and business". Axios. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
  12. ↑ Ablon, Matthew (November 6, 2024). "Republican Luke Farley projected winner of North Carolina Labor Commissioner race". WCNC-TV. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
  13. ↑ "Republican Luke Farley is NC's new commissioner of labor". North State Journal. November 6, 2024. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
  14. ↑ Zehnder, Katherine (November 12, 2024). "Farley announces key staff, Cooper appoints interim Labor Commissioner". The Carolina Journal. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
  15. ↑ "New NC Commissioner of Labor sworn in". MSN. January 2, 2025. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
  16. ↑ Haigwood, Jennifer (December 11, 2024). "Labor Commissioner-elect Farley Announces Government Affairs Team" (Press release). North Carolina Department of Labor. Retrieved January 12, 2025.