Commissioner Hall Passes Away

Lincoln County Commissioner Claire Hall passed away late Sunday evening, January 4, 2026, at Providence Hospital in Portland after a brief illness. She had scheduled a Town Hall meeting on Saturday January 3rd, however it was cancelled due to illness. She served as a Lincoln County Commissioner for over twenty years. Commissioner Hall had been struggling with medical issues since she fell at the Commission office in August. She has been in rehabilitation after surgeries from her fall and has been attending commission meetings remotely via zoom over the past several months, with Commissioner Chuck running the meetings.

Commissioner Miller, who has worked with Commissioner Hall for 14 years as the counties PIO and as a fellow commissioner for the past three years and had these comments on the passing of his colleague.  I was saddened to learn of the passing of Chair Claire Hall."Chair 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. 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."

In a statement put out by Lincoln County, Commissioner Hall lived a life defined by service to her community and the causes she was passionate about. During her tenure, she expanded healthcare services with the creation of federally qualified health centers, increased access and services for veterans, and was a tireless advocate for affordable housing. 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. She will be deeply missed and

forever remembered for the kindness she gave so freely, and the legacy she leaves in

Lincoln County. The county has not put out information yet as to what the process will be in appointing a new commissioner. The next commission meeting will be on Wednesday January 7th at 10am.

About Claire Hall:

Claire Hall was elected as a County Commissioner in 2004 and has been re-elected to serve over 20-years in office. She was born in 1959. Hall completed her undergraduate work at Pacific University, earning a B.A. in Communications in 1981. She received her M.S. from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University in 1986. Her professional experience prior to her election as a commissioner included staff positions at KBPS public radio in Portland; the Newport News-Times; KZUS radio, Toledo; and Yaquina Bay Communications, Newport.

As a commissioner, Ms. Hall represented the county on several local, regional and state organizations. She was president of the Association of Oregon Counties in 2016-17. She was a member of that association's Human Services Steering Committee for the past decade and chaired that committee for four years. She also served on the National Association of Counties' Military and Veterans Committee, and NACO's Health Policy Committee.

Hall was appointed to the Oregon Housing Stability Council in 2018 and became its chair in 2020. She previously served on the Governor's Council on Alcohol and Drug Programs and was its final chair. She was co-chair of the Oregon Ending Homelessness Advisory Council. She co-chaired the Linn-Benton-Lincoln Early Learning HUB and was a member of the board of the IHN-CCO, the Coordinated Care organization for the three-county region. She was a member of the executive committee of the Community Services Consortium, the regional Community Action Agency; and was the county's representative on the board of the Cascades West Council of Governments.

In 2008, Hall's local, state and national leadership on homeless issues was honored with the "Home for Every American Award" presented by the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness at a conference in Washington. D.C. She was one of two county officials to receive the award. In 2009, she received the "Award for Excellence" from the Association of Oregon Community Mental Health Programs for her advocacy for mental health, addictions and developmental disabilities programs in the state. Also in 2009, she received the annual Certificate of Appreciation from the Coastal Progressives, a member group of the Rural Organizing Project. Hall was active in a variety of community affairs and served on the boards of directors of several non-profit organizations.