State Representative Kevin West (R-Moore) announced his candidacy to serve Oklahoma statewide as Labor Commissioner in the 2026 election cycle.
West, who has represented Oklahoma House District 54 since 2016, has built a strong record of advancing pro-business legislation and strengthening Oklahoma’s workforce. His leadership includes authoring or co-authoring:
SB619 (2021): Expanding apprenticeship programs to build a stronger pipeline of skilled workers.
HB3215 (2024): Reforming electrical licensing and continuing education requirements to better align with industry needs.
HB2597 (2019): Constitutional Carry, protecting Oklahomans’ rights and reducing burdens on law-abiding citizens.
SB672 (2025): Allows businesses to remain open during emergencies – safeguarding jobs and economic stability.
HB1216 (2025): Reforming construction industry fees to reduce unnecessary costs.
SB1014 (2025): Creating in-state bid preference to keep taxpayer dollars in Oklahoma.
“In addition to these workforce and business-focused reforms, I’ve also led on some of the most high-profile legislation in the state,” West said. “That includes HB1674 addressing riots, HB1775 banning the tenants of Critical Race Theory in schools, SB658 ensuring parents have a voice during health emergencies, HB1217 restricting obscene materials from being accessible to minors, and SB500 enacting the FIND Act to stop discrimination against the firearms industry.”
West brings not only legislative experience but also decades of work in the private sector. He has held manufacturing jobs, worked in the commercial cabinet industry on construction projects with general contractors, and owned and operated his own cabinet shop in OKC. These experiences, he says, gave him firsthand understanding of the challenges facing both workers and small business owners.
“The office of Labor Commissioner is where my experience in both business and public service come together,” West said. “I understand the needs of our workforce because I’ve worked shoulder-to-shoulder first as an employee and then as a business owner with Oklahomans working hard to earn paychecks to support their families. As a business owner, I experienced firsthand the burdens of unnecessary red tape and taxation that discourage growth and job creation. From those experiences, as State Representative I championed conservative principles to level the playing field, shrink bureaucracy and expand freedom to earn success. As Labor Commissioner, I will continue to fight for accountability, fairness, and opportunity so Oklahoma workers and businesses can thrive, and Oklahoma’s workforce will be the backbone of American strength to lead globally.”
For more information on Kevin West and his plan to bring economic opportunity and job growth to Oklahoma, visit www.VoteKevinWest.com, and follow the campaign on Facebook at: Kevin West for Labor Commissioner.
