Marlowe Foster's blog

Today we submitted paperwork to the NC State Board of Elections requesting a 2nd primary (runoff) election in the race to be the Democratic nominee for NC Labor Commissioner.

We received over 254,000 votes or 33% of the total votes cast in the three-way primary. We won outright Wake, Durham, Orange, Forsyth, and Guilford, and finished first or second in the 39 counties that make up 51% of North Carolina's registered voters. We have the right candidacy, with the right message, at the right time and need your help in the 60 day sprint to the July 17th runoff. Please visit my website below to share your thoughts, volunteer and contribute. Also, please "Like" me on Facebook and "Follow" me on Twitter.

I am tremendously excited about the momentum we have and look forward to representing you in the fall election.

Marlowe Foster

website: http://marlowefoster.com/

I want to apologize for this post being late. As you might imagine, the fight to become North Carolina's next Labor Commissioner has been intense. Since the election results were finalized around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, my phone has literally not stopped ringing with expressions of support and encouragement to keep up the fight.

Each of these calls have been about making sure we have the right candidate for the fall to oust the incumbent Labor Commissioner and making sure we have a nominee that represents the future of the Democratic Party. I have truly been touched by the expressions of support.

My family and I will be making a decision shortly concerning the runoff. Raising the $25,000 quickly to finish this race is critical. If you would like to support our effort, please click below and contribute today. $6, $35, $50, $100 or $250 will go a long way in helping us meet our goal.

For those that have not cast early ballots, you will have the opportunity to cast your ballot on May 8th. I am asking you to vote for me, Marlowe Foster for NC Labor Commissioner.

We all know the important role that the Labor Commissioner in North Carolina plays. Strictly enforcing workplace safety rules and regulations and being a strong partner with the community college system in North Carolina for the training and re-training of our workforce are at the top of my list of priorities. I think we can all agree that this focus has been severely lacking in the current department. But, the selection of our nominee for Labor Commissioner is about more than understanding the current problems in the Labor Department.

Since day one, this campaign has been about Marlowe Foster being the candidate Democrats can be proud of to face the incumbent Labor Commissioner in November.

Please watch the attached news story from WRAL TV in Raleigh.

http://www.wral.com/news/state/nccapitol/story/11054752/

“What do you know about hard work?” Like every other statewide candidate in North Carolina, Governor Hunt was my first call as I planned my race for NC Labor Commissioner. Governor Hunt was scanning my resume and while he admired the fact that I had been a budget director at Winston-Salem State University, a manager of corporate affairs at Lowe’s Companies and director of government relations at Pfizer, in his view he didn’t see anything that represented “hard” work.

This gave me the opportunity to talk with Governor Hunt about my upbringing in Farmville, Virginia. I was raised on a family farm, the middle of five siblings, by two parents who were educators. I topped and cured tobacco, slopped hogs, bailed hay and helped keep the farm moving. “Now that’s what I’m talking about,” Governor Hunt responded. “Go Get It!”

On October 18th I formally announced my candidacy for NC Labor Commissioner. With a united Democratic Party, we can finally take back this office!

My focus as Labor Commissioner will be protecting NC workers by ensuring there is fairness and transparency in the workplace safety inspection process and being a strong advocate and partner with the community college system to train and re-train North Carolinians for jobs. “Being Labor Commissioner is about showing up to work everyday to ensure that North Carolinians have good jobs and safe workplaces.”

“In a tough campaign season with limited resources, it is important for our Party to be united. With my early start and strong campaign structure in place, we have a plan and strategy to win.” Visit our webpage at marlowefoster.com to learn more about my candidacy. Please post follow-ups.