Lincoln County, OR–The Lincoln County Democratic Party is strongly opposed to efforts to recall County Commissioner Claire Hall, branding the recall campaign as a “a groundless and blatant right-wing power grab that will weaken our county’s governance and waste taxpayer money.”
In a vote taken by leadership and elected precinct committee persons (PCPs) the Democratic Party Central Committee has unanimously elected to discourage the signing of the petition by voters for a recall measure that would result in a costly special election and further divide the work of the other county commissioners. According to Lincoln County Clerk Amy Southwell, the cost of a special election would be between $45,000 and $50,000.
The county’s voters re-elected Claire Hall to a four-year term just nine months ago, in November, 2024.
“Claire Hall has provided solid leadership and a steady hand at a time when stability, experience and a strong sense of purpose are especially important,” said Mary Infante, Chair of the Lincoln County Democratic Party Central Committee. “As officials at all levels of government are faced with challenges to environmental programs, cuts to our health care system and threats to our most vulnerable neighbors, Claire’s role as the senior member of the County Commission is especially important. Her knowledge and advocacy in the field of housing stability, which earned an appointment as chair of the Oregon Housing Stability Council, is irreplaceable. Her commitment to the principles of diversity and equity is especially notable at a time when those values have come under attack from the Trump administration and his supporters.”
“This recall effort is part of a broad campaign to thwart our democratic institutions by undermining our trust in progressive elected officials, thwart electoral integrity by eliminating mail-in voting and overturn the results of our elections,” Infante added. “The taxpayer money that would be spent on a special election—just under a year after Claire Hall was re-re-elected—would be taken from funds that are badly needed to provide county services. Claire Hall has done an exemplary job as our County Commissioner. We urge voters to reject this latest attack on our democratic institutions and ignore the recall petition.”
The Lincoln County Democratic Party holds monthly meetings rotating among northern, central, southern and eastern centers of the county with zoom options available for virtual attendance and participation. All are welcome. The next monthly meeting will take place on Wednesday, September 24 in the community room at Newport’s Atonement Lutheran Church, 2315 North Coast Highway. Doors will open for socializing at 5:30 pm. The meeting begins at 6:00 pm.
The purpose of the Lincoln County Democratic Party and its executive committee is to promote the interests of the Democratic Party in Oregon and Lincoln County, to work for the election of Democratic candidates, adopt a party platform and work to ensure its principles are reflected in law, and to provide a link between Democratic voters, the Democratic Party, and the government. The Lincoln County Democratic Party welcomes comments and questions, which can be addressed to: dems@lincolncountydemocratsoregon.com
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