Independent Weekly Endorses Donnan

"In a four-person Democratic primary, the two women are heads and shoulders above the men. We recommend a vote for Mary Fant Donnan, who also has the endorsement—importantly in this case—of the state AFL-CIO. The winner will seek to oust incumbent Republican Cherie Berry, who is unopposed in the GOP primary.

Donnan brings a strong record of public service into the campaign. She served for seven years as an aide and director of policy research for the highly regarded former Labor Commissioner Harry Payne, who's endorsed her as well. In that role, she was responsible for launching the state's innovative program of individual development accounts that help low-income workers save to buy a home, continue their education or start a small business.

When Payne stepped down in 2000, Donnan became a program officer for the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation in Winston-Salem, which supports many of the state's progressive nonprofit organizations. She's worked there with community economic development organizations to tackle a broad range of challenges including affordable housing, health care and workforce training. As commissioner, she promises to extend that work and be an energetic spokesperson for community needs while also stepping up enforcement of the state's existing workplace health and safety laws."