2026 Georgia Primary Runoff

Democrat

Nonpartisan

Republican

Michelle has worked as a paralegal for the past year. She also has experience working in various Georgia democratic organizations.

Michelle Michi Sanchez's campaign for Georgia Labor Commissioner in the Democratic primary is her first run for public office.

Michelle previously ran for the Georgia House of Representatives in 2016 and lost.

Michelle Michi Sanchez advocates for the creation of a dedicated enforcement unit to recover stolen wages and investigate labor violations, particularly targeting big corporations that exploit workers.

Advocates for the creation of an enforcement unit to recover stolen wages and investigate labor violations, particularly targeting "big corporations exploiting workers."

Michelle Michi Sanchez advocates for raising Georgia's minimum wage and supports living wages for workers. She plans to publicly pressure the legislature to ensure workers receive at least the $7.25 they are legally owed.

Supports raising Georgia's minimum wage in a phased approach that starts with larger corporations and publicly pressuring the legislature to ensure workers receive at least the $7.25 they are legally owed.

Michelle Michi Sanchez advocates for comprehensive statewide protections for workers in Georgia, aiming to close legal loopholes that leave many unprotected and allow employers, particularly large corporations, to evade accountability for harassment and wage theft.

Promotes comprehensive statewide protections for workers in Georgia, aiming to "close loopholes that let employers—especially big corporations—dodge accountability."

Thinks the mental health crisis is an economic crisis

Promises to push for healthcare access, childcare support, and other policies that "help working families survive."

- Advocates for the creation of an enforcement unit to recover stolen wages and investigate labor violations, particularly targeting "big corporations exploiting workers."
- Supports raising Georgia's minimum wage in a phased approach that starts with larger corporations and publicly pressuring the legislature to ensure workers receive at least the $7.25 they are legally owed.
- Promotes comprehensive statewide protections for workers in Georgia, aiming to "close loopholes that let employers—especially big corporations—dodge accountability."
- Thinks the mental health crisis is an economic crisis
- Promises to push for healthcare access, childcare support, and other policies that "help working families survive."

Labor

Believes trickle-down economics is a lie and supports progressive taxation to fund the necessary safety net.

Believes progressive taxation, where the more one makes, the more one is taxed, is needed to fund the "safety net we all need."

- Believes progressive taxation, where the more one makes, the more one is taxed, is needed to fund the "safety net we all need."

Businesses

Believes in "transparency and accessibility" in the Commissioner's office.

Supports "transparency and accessibility" in the Commissioner's office.

Aim to create an accessible online portal for claims and case status.

Wants to create a public database of employers with wage theft violations.

- Supports "transparency and accessibility" in the Commissioner's office.
- Aim to create an accessible online portal for claims and case status.
- Wants to create a public database of employers with wage theft violations.

Administration

Georgia Voter Guide

Georgia NOW

Endorsed by the Georgia National Organization of Women.

- Endorsed by the Georgia National Organization of Women.

Endorsements

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Michelle Michi Sanchez

Buket Urgen

Nikki Porcher has a college degree. She is a mother. 

Nikki owns her own business and is the founder of a national nonprofit network. She previously worked as a public school teacher. She is a veteran. 

Aims to protect workers’ rights, promote fair wages, and ensure work in a secure, respectful environment.

- Aims to protect workers’ rights, promote fair wages, and ensure work in a secure, respectful environment.

Supports workforce policies that allow access to affordable childcare for working parents and small businesses.

Seeks to ensure small businesses have the tools and resources to grow and create jobs.

- Supports workforce policies that allow access to affordable childcare for working parents and small businesses.
- Seeks to ensure small businesses have the tools and resources to grow and create jobs.

Supports modernizing the Department of Labor so people can more easily access benefits, training, and job support without delays.

Supports creating workforce development partnerships that lead to jobs, modern skills, and livable wages.

- Supports modernizing the Department of Labor so people can more easily access benefits, training, and job support without delays.
- Supports creating workforce development partnerships that lead to jobs, modern skills, and livable wages.

As of May 27, 2026, Nikki Porcher’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Nikki Porcher

- The Labor Commissioner is responsible for implementing the state's labor regulations, such as maintaining the minimum wage and enforcing child labor protections. 
- The Labor Commissioner is responsible for operating Georgia’s unemployment benefits program and rehabilitation programs. During the COVID pandemic, this role has become increasingly important as more people have lost their jobs and have filed for unemployment insurance and other related benefits. 
- In addition to these primary responsibilities, the Labor Commissioner produces statistics and research covering the Georgia labor market. The Labor Commissioner also creates workforce development and training programs, such as the GeorgiaBEST high school certificate vocational program. 
- The Labor Commissioner is elected to 4-year terms in a statewide election. There are no term limits for the Labor Commissioner and the salary is typically around $122,000/year.

Oversees labor regulations and development of Georgia’s workforce

Georgia Commissioner of Labor Runoff, Democratic Primary

Candidates (2)

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Labor

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Administration

Endorsements