Raising Wages. Fixing Unemployment. Putting Georgia Workers First.
Georgia currently has the longest average unemployment wait time and the lowest state minimum wage* in the country. These are not the categories we want to lead in. Christian understands families need support and can’t wait 10–14 weeks to hear back from the Department of Labor when facing unemployment. For 16 years, Georgia’s minimum wage has been stuck at $5.15*. Georgia families deserve a living wage that allows them to pay bills, build a future, and stop living paycheck to paycheck.
Christian Wise Smith knows what economic hardship looks like because he has lived it. He understands the fear and uncertainty families face when they lose a job, fall behind on bills, or struggle to provide for their children. That’s why he believes the Georgia Department of Labor should work for workers — not against them.
As Labor Commissioner, Christian will focus on modernizing the unemployment system so Georgians can get answers, benefits, and support quickly during moments of crisis. No family should spend months waiting for help they already earned. Christian will push for improved customer service, updated technology, faster claims processing, and greater accountability so workers are treated with dignity and respect.
Christian also believes Georgia’s economy should reward hard work. While costs for housing, groceries, childcare, and healthcare continue to rise, wages for many Georgians have failed to keep up. A full-time worker should not have to work multiple jobs just to survive. Christian supports efforts to raise wages and strengthen workforce pathways that help Georgians move into stable, good-paying careers.
Georgia’s workers are the backbone of the state’s economy. Christian’s vision is simple: when working families succeed, Georgia succeeds. That means fighting for fair pay, efficient unemployment assistance, workforce training, and an economy where everyone has the opportunity to thrive — not just get by.
*While Georgia’s official state minimum wage remains $5.15 per hour, most workers are covered by the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.