Lincoln County Commissioner Claire Hall died late Sunday in Portland hospital; recall election is now void

Note: This story was updated at 2:40 p.m. and 8:50 p.m. Monday with reactions and the appointment process

By SHAYLA ESCUDERO/Lincoln Chronicle

Longtime Lincoln County Commissioner Claire Hall died late Sunday in a Portland hospital amid worsening health conditions and a contentious recall election. She was 66.

Hall’s death comes the week of a historic recall election – the first time in the county’s 132-year history that voters are being asked if a commissioner should be recalled from office.

With her death, the recall election is void.

Hall fell in her office in September, fracturing her hip, shoulder and several ribs. She was later hospitalized in Corvallis with further health issues and complications from surgery.

Although she had only recently begun attending commission meetings remotely, in the last weeks of her life she assured constituents that despite her health issues she was ready to fight the recall and had the strength to attend to county business.

Hall served as county commissioner for 21 years building a reputation as an advocate for unhoused people and affordable housing, and was popular with progressives. She also publicly came out as transgender in 2018 while holding office.

But over the past 15 months her leadership as commission chair were fraught with division, increasingly chaotic meetings and clashes between commissioners, the county counsel and some department heads which energized a recall effort.

Hall was scheduled to hold an online town hall meeting Saturday, but organizers announced that morning that it was canceled because Hall had a stomach flu.

Now the Friday, Jan. 9 recall is basically void, county Clerk Amy Southwell told the Lincoln Chronicle. Ballot collection boxes around the county will be locked today, she said. After getting in touch with the Secretary of State’s office, Southwell said she is still identifying procedurally if the ballots that have already been cast need to be counted.

“Regardless of how anyone voted, this is a loss of life and that’s saddening,” Southwell said.

Plans for a memorial service are pending.

Reactions pour in

Christine Jamison of Otter Rock, the petitioner leading the recall effort, told the Chronicle that she was saddened by Hall’s passing and “pray for peace for her family and friends.”

David Elton of Gleneden Beach, who formed a separate political action committee and has spent more than $40,000 on advertising urging Hall’s recall, also expressed his condolences.

“Hall was a ferocious fighter for the homeless, for warming shelters and helping the downtrodden, the little guy struggling to survive,” Elton said. “Nobody worked harder than Hall on affordable housing. I am shocked and saddened by this death.”

Eliot Sekuler of Gleneden Beach, who had advocated with Lincoln County Democrats to keep Hall in office and worked on her campaign, said the commissioner will be remembered for her courage, service and skill.

“Her unwavering progressive values and the experience she brought to her role as a public servant were invaluable to our county’s government and her dedication to helping others, including our most marginalized neighbors was extraordinary,” Sekuler said. “Claire Hall’s character, intelligence and courage will long serve as an example for leadership in local government and, on a personal level, she was unfailingly warm and considerate. It was an honor to know her.”

Hall’s political action committee, Friends of Claire Hall, posted a statement, tribute and biography on its Facebook page, saying that Hall “prioritized others before herself, led with kindness, and created countless services to improve the lives of community members.”

Before becoming a commissioner, Hall had a career in journalism. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Pacific University and a masters degree in journalism from Northwestern University. She worked as a producer for the Portland school district’s radio station then a reporter for Newport News Times, followed by 15 years for Newport radio stations.

Hall left journalism in 2004 when she won a seat on the county commission. Over the last 21 years she has been an advocate for people facing homelessness, affordable housing issues, reining in short-term rentals, and healthcare. She has served on local, state and national boards for homeless and housing issues, on the Governor’s Council on Alcohol and Drug Programs and the Oregon Ending Homelessness Advisory Council.

Hall was in her sixth, four-year term in office. In 2020, she campaigned for re-election for the first time after coming out as transgender and won that election by more than 2,800 votes.

When she ran for re-election in 2024 she faced four challengers in the May primary and defeated Rick Beasley, a controversial newsman and registered Republican from Depoe Bay by just 115 votes, It was the closest commissioner race in decades.

On Monday, the county announced Hall’s passing due to a “brief illness”.

“Claire prioritized others before herself, led with kindness, and created countless  services to improve the lives of community members. Her strength, grace, and  compassion left an indelible mark on all who knew her,” the statement said. “She will be deeply missed and forever remembered for the kindness she gave so freely, and the legacy she leaves in Lincoln County.”

Commissioner Casey Miller, who had disagreed with Hall repeatedly the past year, released a statement expressing his sadness for her passing.

“Chair Claire Hall devoted many years of her life to public service in Lincoln County, and her work reflected a deep commitment to the community she served,” Miller said. “Regardless of differences that may arise in public life, the loss of a colleague and community member is a moment for reflection, compassion, and respect. My thoughts are with her family, loved ones, and all those who worked alongside her during her years of service to Lincoln County.”

Commissioner Walter Chuck echoed a similar sentiment.

“It’s a very sad day for Lincoln County,” Chuck said.

Late Monday, the office of Gov. Tina Kotek sent the Chronicle a statement about Hall’s service, saying she was a respected statewide leader, “tireless advocate for housing stability, mental health care, addiction services, and support for veterans and families in need.”

“A lifelong Oregonian and former journalist, Claire had a deep love for Oregon’s political history, especially Gov. Tom McCall. She even authored a political novel, “McCallandia,” imagining an alternate history in which McCall became president after Richard Nixon,” the governor’s statement said, adding that Hall “lived courageously and authentically, coming out as a transgender woman later in life while continuing to use her platform to amplify voices too often unseen or unheard. Her life was defined by service, generosity, and impact.”

The appointment process

The county has an established procedure to fill commission vacancies – the most recent being last March when Hall and Miller voted to appoint Chuck to fill the vacancy created by Kaety Jacobson’s resignation. Chuck’s appointment was the first since 2012.

Last year, once the county announced the procedure, it gave candidates two weeks to apply. The 26 people who applied were narrowed to four finalists, one of whom dropped out before Hall and Miller interviewed the remaining three.

The only legal requirements to apply are that an office seeker have been a resident of the county for one year and be a registered voter. The commission positions are nonpartisan and considered full-time jobs with a salary starting at $94,000 a year, not including a full range of benefits.

• Shayla Escudero covers Lincoln County government, education, Newport, housing and social services for Lincoln Chronicle and can be reached at [email protected]