Travis Wilson (North Carolina)

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Travis Wilson

Republican Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

March 5, 2024

Education

Bachelor's

Montreat College, 2010

Other

East Carolina University, 2021

Personal

Birthplace

Green Bay, Wis.

Religion

Christian: Protestant

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Travis Wilson (Republican Party) ran for election for North Carolina Commissioner of Labor. He lost in the Republican primary on March 5, 2024.

Wilson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Travis Wilson was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He earned a bachelor's degree from Montreat College in 2010 and a degree from East Carolina University in 2021. Wilson's career experience includes working as a grocery stocker, janitor, and sound technician. As of 2024, he was member of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and the Union County Historic Preservation Commission.

Elections

2024

See also: North Carolina Labor Commissioner election, 2024

General election

General election for North Carolina Commissioner of Labor

Luke Farley defeated Braxton Winston II in the general election for North Carolina Commissioner of Labor on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Luke Farley (R)	52.8	2,904,331
		Braxton Winston II (D)	47.2	2,601,255

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 5,505,586
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Ben Moss (R)

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Braxton Winston II advanced from the Democratic primary for North Carolina Commissioner of Labor.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for North Carolina Commissioner of Labor

Luke Farley defeated Jon Hardister, Chuck Stanley, and Travis Wilson in the Republican primary for North Carolina Commissioner of Labor on March 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Luke Farley	36.9	315,490
		Jon Hardister	28.0	239,551
		Chuck Stanley	21.6	184,458
		Travis Wilson	13.4	114,563

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 854,062
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Wilson in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Travis Wilson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Wilson's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a laborer running for Commissioner of Labor. I've worked two jobs and have worked alongside the so called "working poor". My background make me the optimal candidate to present a conservative message and win in November.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Defend independent contractors
• Promote free market principles
• Provide efficient services

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The competition of ideas and products is a central part of the American experience and I fear this realization is falling by the wayside.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

The Commissioner of Labor is primarily entrusted with ensuring the safety of workers within the state of North Carolina. The position has been granted extensive powers to investigate and enforce safety regulations and laws.
In addition to the positions central duties, the Commissioner of Labor is also part of the Council of State and has been giving influence over the governor's ability to declare a state of emergency.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

In the last few years I have gained appreciation for John Dickinson for his ability to combine reform with conservatism.. He walked the line between preserving the individual rights that English citizens had inherited through the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and securing independence for the colonies. His example of pursuing a vision for the future without erasing victories of the past is an important one to learn from.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

I have written a 32 page booklet on American history which can be accessed for free on my campaign website.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Being able to question yourself and refocus priorities is an essential part of human life an certainly remains important once I'm office.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I have proven an ability to take on difficult situations and succeed.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Administration and delegation for safety inspections.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to leave our state in a better position to take on the increasing automation of jobs.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

When I was four or five I remember being told that my uncle was at war. That was the Gulf War under George H.W. Bush.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I worked as a janitor when I was 14. I only did that for a little while.

What is your favorite book? Why?

I enjoyed "Green on Blue" by Elliot Ackerman. As a novel written by a veteran of America 's war in Afghanistan, it provides insight into the convoluted situation that eventually led to failure in that war.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Recently I've been reading the Department Q series by Jussi Adler-Olsen and I enjoy the idea of having a job focused entirely on solving the unsolvable.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

"There is a God" by Phillips, Craig and Dean

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I want to die knowing that I've done as much as I can with my life.

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

The enforcement of the state level version of OSHA laws are the most prominent role for the office. Most North Carolina workers will be familiar with seeing the Commissioner of Labor's signature at the bottom of workers rights and safety posters in break rooms.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

The Commissioner of Labor has the power to license housing used for H2A workers. This can have a real impact on farmers.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

No, I believe experience working with the laborers this office is meant to protect is the greater concern

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

In North Carolina we have had recent examples of what can happen when constituent services are neglected. Possessing the ability to find staffers who can beat serve constituents is essential.

Tell us your favorite joke.

I went to a funeral over the weekend and was so moved by the service that I went up to the widow afterwards and asked if I could say a word. She said that would be greatly appreciated so I said "bargain". She said "thanks, that means a great deal".

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Melissa Merrell, Union County Commissioner

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign website

Wilson’s campaign website stated the following:

“	Free Market Previous candidates on the left have discussed using the office of Labor Commissioner to reshape the definition of an independent contractor. We need a commissioner who respects an individuals right to define his or her work in the way that makes the most sense. Safety Safety inspections will be a priority under a Wilson administration. Accessibility When seeking help on issues such as worker’s compensation or safety concerns, citizens need to know that the Department of Labor is accessible.	”
—Travis Wilson’s campaign website (2024)

Campaign finance summary

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

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Travis Wilson campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	North Carolina Commissioner of Labor	Lost primary	$5,778	$3,690
Grand total			$5,778	$3,690
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

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Candidate

North Carolina Commissioner of Labor

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