Bassett nominated for reappointment as Secretary for the Department of Labor and Licensing

Arkansas Secretary for the Department of Labor and Licensing Daryl Bassett has been nominated by Gov.-elect Sarah Sanders to be reappointed to the cabinet post. Bassett also worked for former Gov. Mike Huckabee, Sanders’ father.

“Arkansas workers deserve a Secretary of Labor and Licensing who always puts their interests first, which is what Secretary Bassett has done,” Sanders said in a statement. “I am pleased the Secretary has agreed to continue his stewardship of this department, promoting the protection and safety of workers, and to help me pursue bold reforms to ease burdensome regulations.”

Bassett is the first appointed Secretary for the Department of Labor and Licensing, and he previously served as director of the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services from 2015-2019 and the former Director of Business and Commercial Services for the Arkansas Secretary of State. He was appointed to the Arkansas Public Service Commission by former Gov. Mike Huckabee and served as Gov. Huckabee’s chief economic development advisor.

He is a past president of the Southeastern Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (SEARUC), past chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Diversity Committee, and was a member of the Financial Research Institute for Columbia College of Business Board of Directors at the University of Missouri, Columbia.

“I am honored to continue serving the men and women of Arkansas and to join the Governor-elect’s administration,” Bassett said. “Our workers are the best in the country, and I look forward to continuing to be one of their strongest advocates across the state.”