Republican Kevin West is running for Oklahoma labor commissioner in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. West, a state representative from House District 54, won the GOP primary runoff on Aug. 25, 2026, defeating John Pfeiffer with 58.3% of the vote, 195,684 to 140,116, according to News9.
West has said on his campaign website that he wants to limit government bureaucracy and promote free-market jobs. Norman-area voters will see this statewide race on their ballots.
Candidate information
- Party: Republican
- Office sought: Oklahoma labor commissioner
- Current office: State representative, Oklahoma House District 54 (representing North Moore and South Oklahoma City), serving since 2017
- Birthplace: Oklahoma City; raised in South Oklahoma City
- Education: High school diploma, Douglass High School; bachelor's degree in construction and business, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M
- Family: Married to his high school sweetheart, Goldie, for almost 40 years, according to his campaign website. Two adult children and four grandchildren. Active members of Regency Park Baptist Church in Moore, West and his wife volunteer with the Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief Team, according to his campaign website.
Experience and public service
West has served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives since 2017, according to his legislative page. He chaired the Oversight Committee during the 60th Legislature and served as assistant majority floor leader during the 59th Legislature.
Before entering public office, West worked in the construction and fixtures industry. He owned Sooner Fixtures from 1996 to 2004, served as a project manager at Wood Systems from 2004 to 2007 and has managed Precision Casework since 2007, according to BallotReady.
On the issues
The following positions are drawn from West's campaign website and his responses on BallotReady. All statements reflect the candidate's own claims.
Workforce development and the economy: West says he wants to streamline licensing so qualified workers can start working faster. He says he would create incentives for businesses to offer apprenticeships and launch a bipartisan task force on artificial intelligence and automation to protect Oklahoma workers while preparing them for a changing economy. He also says he wants to ensure Oklahoma businesses are not squeezed out by out-of-state competitors or foreign scammers.
Workplace safety: West says he would modernize workplace safety and adopt a "teach before you fine" approach, helping employers with training and tools before imposing penalties. He also says he would provide training and placement programs to give people seeking a second chance "the dignity of work and a fresh start," according to his BallotReady responses.
Trade education: West says he wants to expand CareerTech partnerships and start trade education earlier in high school. He also says he would create skilled trade pathways for veterans.
Taxes and regulation: West says he supports simplifying outdated rules and cutting red tape. He says he would guarantee fair bidding on public contracts. On his campaign website, West says he supports a balanced budget, less spending and legislation that would lower or eliminate the state income tax.
Energy: West says Oklahoma can be a leader in energy production while protecting the environment. He says he supports legislation promoting responsible oil and gas exploration, according to his campaign website.
Endorsements
West has received the following endorsement, according to BallotReady:
- Make Oklahoma Healthy Again
Candidate positions in this profile are based on Kevin West's campaign website and his responses submitted through BallotReady. They represent the candidate's own statements, not independently verified claims.
