RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – North Carolina Commissioner of Labor Josh Dobson has resigned from office, the N.C. Department of Labor announced on Wednesday morning. Dobson submitted his resignation to Governor Roy Cooper, which goes into effect at 5 p.m. Wednesday. "I am grateful for the last 14 years I have been able to serve in elected office and the opportunity to be your commissioner of labor,” Dobson said in a released statement. “After 21 years of public service, I look forward to pursuing new opportunities in the private sector. I want to thank the employees at the N.C. Department of Labor for all of their hard work and service to the State of North Carolina. It has been a tremendous honor to work with them over the last four years ensuring the safety and health of all North Carolinians." This comes one day after Republican Luke Farley defeated Democratic opponent Braxton Winston in the race for labor commissioner. Dobson did not seek reelection after just one term. The commissioner of labor, who serves a four-year term, is responsible for overseeing the “health, safety and general well-being” of more than four million workers statewide, as well as administering workplace safety requirements for the public and private sectors. The N.C. Department of Labor is also in charge of inspecting everything from rides at the State Fair to elevators.