Sekuler: Reject the right-wing sore loser recall and let the county get back to work
Does anyone really believe the phony justifications that have been advanced by the MAGA-aligned “recall Hall” advocates? Does anyone believe their sore loser campaign is a matter of “transparency?” In the interest of “transparency,” and “learning the facts,” it must be noted that some of the substantial sums of money coming into the sore loser campaign have been donated by owners of multiple vacation rentals, hoping to get a pass on county zoning that might impede their business. Other funds are coming from a PAC co-led by a noted transphobe and the executive director of the extreme right-wing “Western Liberty Network,” an organization on a mission to establish MAGA control of local governments. And, no surprise, some of the recall’s supporters were also supporters of Rick Beasley’s failed campaign for the office that Claire Hall holds. It’s all part of a right-wing playbook we’re seeing in action throughout the country: if they can’t win during a regular election cycle, they gather some signatures, force a special election and hope the low turnout will favor a reversal of the voters’ choice. This is not wild speculation. That scheme has unfolded elsewhere and it’s unfolding here in Lincoln County. It’s happening now. In Northern California’s Shasta County, a recent MAGA-led recall assault paralyzed the county Board of Supervisors, forced several expensive special elections and resulted in a hardening of the divide between local political factions. Back east, from New Hampshire to Georgia, school boards and county governments have been beleaguered by the very same tactics employed by right-wing activists here in Lincoln County. It’s happening now. And it’s happening here. Certainly, some of the sore losers behind the recall campaign have an economic interest in countering Claire Hall’s efforts to address the housing crisis. And some, like the recall’s earliest sponsor, have taken offense at her efforts at maintaining order at Board of Commissioners meetings. But the MAGA people know that the County Commissioners are our last line of defense against such right-wing agenda items as ICE round-ups, the construction of an ICE detention center, the dismantling of diversity initiatives, and the general administrative upheaval we’ve seen play out at the Board of Commissioners since their campaign began. It’s no coincidence that while they were seeking signers for their recall petition, the sore losers were also distributing petitions seeking the abolition of mail-in voting and a recall of Governor Kotek. MAGA’s Project 2025 playbook calls for seizure of ALL levels of government, from the county clerk to the Oval Office. It’s happening all over the country. And it’s happening here. It’s happening now. There’s important work to be done in Lincoln County, and the distraction of the right-wing recall effort is not helping. Claire Hall has provided leadership in such crucial fields as public transportation, affordable housing and health services. The right-wing sore loser tactics are designed to disrupt those efforts and weaken county governance. Yes, it’s happening now, but we can stop it from happening here. Your ballots will be mailed on December 22 for the January 9 election date. Vote NO! on the MAGA-inspired sore loser recall. And tell your friends and neighbors. Don’t let it happen here. Don’t let it happen now. Eliot Sekuler Gleneden Beach