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Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian won't seek a fourth term in 2018.
Avakian, who announced his decision a letter released late this afternoon, doesn't offer a reason but cites his lengthy tenure on the job: more than nine years in office. The Oregonian first reported his decision.
He ran for Oregon secretary of state last year and lost to Dennis Richardson, the first time a Democrat lost to a Republican in a bid for statewide office in more than a decade.
Avakian's tenure atop the Bureau of Labor and Industries will be remembered for the agencies proactive stance on civil rights—and its wading in the culture wars.
His agency pursued high-profile cases against Beaverton strip club Stars Cabaret, for hiring underage dancers and allowing men to exploit them, and Daimler Trucks North America, alleging the company ignored decades of racial intimidation at its Portland manufacturing plant. Both cases resulted in multi-million-dollar settlements.
But Avakian will be most remembered for pursuing a 2015 discrimination case against Gresham bakery Sweet Cakes by Melissa. BOLI ruled that shop owners Aaron and Melissa Klein had discriminated against a lesbian couple by refusing the bake them a wedding cake.
Avakian then ordered the Kleins to pay $135,000 to Rachel and Laurel Bowman-Cryer, for the emotional and physical suffering they caused the couple. (Aaron Klein also posted their names, address and phone number on his Facebook page.)
The fine became a national conservative cause, with Aaron Klein becoming a right-wing celebrity while refusing to pay damages to the couple.
Avakian now has fired the starting gun for the 2018 race for his job.
“By making my plans clear now, it’s my hope that others who may be interested in the post can start giving it thoughtful consideration,” writes Avakian in the letter announcing his plans not to run next year.
Former state Sen. Val Hoyle (D-Salem) has been widely rumored as a potential candidate.