(Georgia Recorder) — Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes has officially thrown her hat in the ring to run for a full term in office.
Holmes, who was previously the CEO of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, was tapped by Gov. Brian Kemp to lead the agency in April after former Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson died in November.
“I have a profound responsibility to serve the people of Georgia, and I look forward to working alongside them to ensure Georgia’s best and brightest days are ahead,” Holmes said in a statement Wednesday. “As Labor Commissioner, I will continue to lead the department to build trust, foster collaboration, expand workforce development, and empower small businesses and entrepreneurs across the state.”
Before heading the department, Holmes worked as a journalist and has served on boards including the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, to which she was appointed by Gov. Nathan Deal and the Georgia Rural Development Council, to which she was appointed by Kemp.
Holmes is of Cuban descent and a native of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Kemp’s appointment made her Georgia’s first Latina constitutional officer.
Unlike in other statewide races that are likely to see heated partisan primaries, Holmes did not highlight her party affiliation, conservative bona fides or devotion to President Donald Trump, either in her announcement or on her campaign website. She registered as a Republican on her paperwork with the state ethics commission.
During the April press conference announcing her appointment, Kemp was less demure.
“Yes, she’ll run, and yes she’ll run as a Republican,” he said.
