To the editor:
After almost a month of waiting for the closest race in Oregon to be called, the official results for Lincoln County Commission Position 2 are in: challenger Rick Beasley, 13,027 (49.53%), versus five-time incumbent (now six) Claire Hall, 13,142 (49.97%).
I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who supported my campaign. Coming within 115 votes out of over 26,000 cast is a testament to the power of every single voice in our community.
To Claire Hall, I offer my congratulations on the results — as well as a challenge. It’s a privilege to engage in the democratic process, and I respect the outcome as a reflection of our county’s vibrant and passionate electorate.
Throughout this journey, I’ve had the honor of connecting with many of you who feel unheard or dissatisfied with the current direction of our county. Your concerns about transparency, accountability, and effective governance are valid and deserve attention. This race has shown that a significant portion of Lincoln County residents want a change — a call for leadership that listens and acts with the entire community in mind.
I encourage our county commissioners to consider this message from the voters. Leadership is about more than holding office; it’s about hearing all voices, not just those that agree with you. It’s about making decisions in the open, with integrity and respect for the public trust.
While I may not hold a seat at the commissioners’ table, I remain committed to advocating for the issues that matter most to you. The need for transparency, accountability, and progress in addressing our county’s challenges doesn’t end with this election. It continues on the city councils whose meetings are live-streamed to your home, on fire boards, the school board and other public bodies that need to hear your voice and feel the power of the informed citizen.
Thank you for believing in me and for being part of this movement. Together, we have shown the strength of community, and that strength doesn’t waver with the outcome of an election.
To Claire, I would issue a thoughtful challenge after meeting hundreds of voters in Lincoln County who don’t know much about a county commissioner despite their impact on our communities. It’s time to change the makeup of the county commission from three members to five, with representatives from designated geographic areas. While they wouldn’t be paid as much, a five-member commission would almost certainly better serve the interests of citizens living beyond the boundaries of Newport, the county seat where all three commissioners currently reside. Claire could get this ball rolling, and to her eternal credit I hope she does.
The future of Lincoln County depends on all of us, and I encourage my supporters to stay engaged, stay informed, and continue making your voices heard. Together, we can make a difference. Thank you.
— Rick Beasley/Depoe Bay
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