President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Lori Chavez-DeRemer as Labor Secretary presents an intriguing contrast within his administration. The former Oregon congresswoman, who recently lost her re-election bid, brings a record of union support that seems at odds with traditional Republican labor policies.
“I look forward to working with her to create tremendous opportunity for American Workers, to expand Training and Apprenticeships, to grow wages and improve working conditions, to bring back our Manufacturing jobs,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, announcing his choice.
Chavez-DeRemer, 56, made history as Oregon’s first Latina mayor of Happy Valley, serving from 2010 to 2018, before becoming the state’s first Latina congressional representative in 2022. Her nomination has garnered support from major labor organizations, particularly the Teamsters, where her father held membership.
Teamsters president Sean O’Brien publicly endorsed her nomination: “Congratulations to Chavez-DeRemer on your nomination! North America’s strongest union is ready to work with you every step of the way to expand good union jobs and rebuild our nation’s middle class.”
However, her congressional voting record presents a complex picture. The AFL-CIO gave her a 10% score during her term, citing her opposition to Medicaid funding and food assistance bills, while supporting legislation that could weaken unemployment insurance.
Economic experts point to several challenges awaiting the nominee. She would need to navigate a cabinet that includes Elon Musk, appointed head of the Department of Government Efficiency, who has taken anti-union stances and challenged the National Labor Relations Board’s constitutional authority. The administration’s proposed mass deportation policy could affect industries dependent on immigrant workers.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson noted that “no one has had more union support in the Republican party than she has.” The Teamsters Joint Council No. 37, representing thousands of industrial workers across Oregon, Idaho, and Washington, backed her congressional campaign – their first Republican endorsement in two decades.
Her legislative record includes co-sponsoring the PRO Act, which would expand federal unionization rights, and supporting protections for public employees’ Social Security benefits. However, the Economic Policy Institute’s Celine McNicholas raises questions about her potential positions on overtime protections and workplace safety inspections – areas where the previous Trump administration reduced regulations.
The AFL-CIO expressed skepticism in their statement: “You can stand with working people, or you can stand with Project 2025, but you can’t stand with both.” This refers to Trump’s staffing choices from the conservative policy initiative Project 2025.
The confirmation process could face hurdles in the Senate, where her positions on worker protections and labor regulations will likely face scrutiny. Her ability to implement policy while balancing competing interests within the administration remains to be seen.
As labor secretary, Chavez-DeRemer would oversee crucial decisions affecting American workers, including overtime rules, workplace safety standards, and union rights. Her tenure could determine whether Trump’s outreach to organized labor represents a genuine policy shift or merely strategic positioning.
The nomination arrives as some Republicans, including Senator J.D. Vance and Senator Josh Hawley, have advocated for “pro-labor conservatism.” However, their practical support for worker-friendly policies remains limited.
Chavez-DeRemer’s business background includes founding an anesthesia management company with her husband, Dr. Shawn DeRemer, with which they have opened several medical clinics in the country. She has been married for three decades, maintaining a public image focused on small business advocacy and community service.
