Watson began her legal career as a Skadden Public Interest Law Fellow in New York City's Welfare Law Center, representing participants in the city's workfare program and educating women about their rights under labor and employment laws.[5]
Watson briefly worked as an employment attorney at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe before joining the staff of the Workplace Flexibility 2010 project at Georgetown Law School,[6] where she developed policies to help low-wage workers better balance work and family responsibilities.[7] She was then promoted to executive director of the Georgetown Center on Poverty, Inequality and Public Policy, where she led a group proposing a broader set of public policy initiatives to address the needs of low-income workers.
At the National Women's Law Center, Watson was director of Workplace Justice for Women and Senior Counsel, and authored publications such as "It Shouldn’t Be A Heavy Lift: Fair Treatment for Pregnant Workers" and "50 Years & Counting: The Unfinished Business of Achieving Fair Pay".[8]
The Congressional Progressive Caucus Center (CPCC) named her its executive director in 2019.[1]
Biden administration
On April 27, 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Watson to serve as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs at the United States Department of Labor.[13] Watson's initial nomination expired at the end of the year, and was sent back to President Biden on January 3, 2022.[14]
President Biden renominated Watson the following day. Her nomination was confirmed on May 18, 2022.[15]
Watson defeated civil rights attorney Dan Canon and truck driver Rob Chatlos in the May 8, 2018, Democratic primary election with 24,981 votes and 66.4% of the total votes cast.[16][17][18][19] Watson's victory garnered national attention for the high level of financial and volunteer support she received from feminists.[20][21][22]
General election
In September 2018, Watson was endorsed by Senators Bernie Sanders[23] and Elizabeth Warren.[24] As of September 30, 2018, the Liz for Indiana campaign reported $1,946,997 in total receipts and $1,452,365 in total disbursements.[25] Watson lost to Republican incumbent Trey Hollingsworth in the November 6, 2018, general election. Hollingsworth defeated Watson with 56.5% of the vote to her 43.5%.[26]
Documentary
Watson was one of three 2018 candidates featured in the 2020 documentary Surge, along with Representative Lauren Underwood and Jana Sanchez.[27][28] The documentary has received critical attention from a variety of sources.[29]
On her campaign website, Watson says she opposes defunding Planned Parenthood, calling it "high-quality, affordable health care for both women and men." She also opposes Congressional attempts to block Medicaid patients from accessing care at Planned Parenthood centers.[32][30]
Regarding higher education, Watson supports the College for All Act, which would "eliminate tuition and fees at four-year public colleges and universities for families making up to $125,000 ... and make community college tuition- and fee-free for all."[39][40]
