From the Campaign Trail

At the Democratic National Convention, North Carolina’s Democratic Party Chairwoman, Anderson Clayton, revealed the cold hard truth about their nominee for Labor Commissioner. If elected, Braxton Winston would aggressively encourage union activity across North Carolina. During the national television interview, Clayton said she wanted Winston to follow Thomas Fain, the United Auto Workers President’s aggressive organizing strategy.

One of the positive factors in North Carolina’s business climate is the low rate of unionization, and efforts to change this undermine North Carolina’s competitiveness. While more extensive agricultural operations could manage the higher labor costs, small family farms would face an even tougher burden, and many of them might even fold. Clayton’s comment highlights the stakes for farmers with the Commissioner of Labor race. If Winston wins, North Carolina farmers lose.