Let’s Bring Back Cooperation in Lincoln County

November 14, 2025

Lincoln County deserves leaders who listen generously, work collaboratively, and treat differences of opinion as part of healthy civic life—not as grounds for personal attacks. Recent letters have framed the recall as a “right-wing power grab,” but that doesn’t reflect how our county government actually works.

First, if Commissioner Claire Hall is recalled, her replacement isn’t chosen by engaged constituents: it’s chosen by the two remaining Commissioners, Casey Miller and Walter Chuck. When Commissioner Jacobson resigned in February, Hall and Miller appointed her replacement, and every finalist they considered was a Democrat. The process has long been nonpartisan in practice.

Second, in November 2024, Hall won re-election by only 115 votes, while the other six Democrats on the ballot won by an average of over 4,000 votes. When asked what message she took from that result, Hall said she was “always open to new things, new concerns, new initiatives.” But her recent public posts needlessly attacking [Commissioner] Miller and the District Attorney suggest the opposite—a growing unwillingness to work constructively with those who hold different views.

While Hall now claims [Commissioner] Miller is “MAGA-led,” in 2022 both Hall and the Democratic Party heartily endorsed him. Hall even campaigned for Miller, praising his collaborative leadership after 14 years of working together while Miller served as our County’s PIO. That history makes today’s “MAGA power grab” narrative both inaccurate and needlessly polarizing.

The recall is not about ideology. It’s about restoring respect, cooperation, and accountability at a moment when our county needs all three.

Christine Jamison
Otter Rock

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Submitted to the Lincoln County Leader on November 14, 2025.

For the results of the November 5, 2024 election, see https://www.co.lincoln.or.us/DocumentCenter/View/6018/Election-Results-November-5-2024-General-Election-pdf 

For Hall's hearty endorsement of Miller, see https://www.newportnewstimes.com/opinion/proudly-voting-for-casey-miller/article_241aad90-53cd-11ed-b3c6-3b07e1bb2280.html