Chris Hall, retired town manager for Bristol, accepted the Lincoln County Democratic Committee’s (LCDC) Frances Perkins Award during a reception Saturday, May 4, in Round Pond. Nearly 70 friends and well-wishers from Westport Island to Waldoboro and Somerville to South Bristol, including elected legislators Sen. Cameron Reny (SD 13), Rep. Lydia Crafts (HD 46), and Rep. Holly Stover (HD 48), attended.

“I’m moved, honored, and humbled,” Hall said, accepting the award from Kelli Whitlock Burton, Chair of LCDC.

The Frances Perkins Award, first presented in 1995, is given every two years to a Lincoln County Democrat who “over an extended period of time in their personal and professional lives in Lincoln County, exemplifies Frances Perkins's commitment to public service and dedication to Democratic ideals of fairness and equity.” Perkins, who hailed from Newcastle, was the first woman to be a member of a presidential cabinet and served through all three terms of FDR’s administration as the Secretary of Labor.

Hall’s engagement in LCDC began in the 1980s. He rose quickly to the position of chair of the organization. In 1996 he was elected chair of the Maine Democratic Party, where he helped direct Maine efforts in the re-election campaign for President Bill Clinton. In 2000, he was elected to the Maine House of Representatives and in 2002 was elected to the state senate. He served as Bristol town administrator for six years.

Two long-time Democratic associates of Hall’s offered comments.

Jack Fitzpatrick, a well-known fixture of Bristol politics, assessed Hall’s qualifications and detailed his two elections, each of which was decided by recounts and slim margins – one of them by only two votes. “Every vote counts,” Fitzpatrick reminded the crowd.

Daphne Lehava Stern, the 2005 recipient of the Perkins Award, noted his contributions to higher education as president of the American University in Kosovo and Dubai, in addition to his contributions to LCDC and Maine politics.“Chris never rests on his laurels,” she said. “His intellectual curiosity and drive is always there. He is brilliant, inventive, hard-working and . . . most important to me, kind.”

In his acceptance remarks, Hall reflected on LCDC’s character and size and its growing impact on election results, exhorting the crowd to continue to work for Democratic principles and victory in November.

Sen. Reny surprised the group with the presentation of a legislative sentiment, an official recognition of Hall’s contributions to the state of Maine. 

Jordan Wood and Jake Lipsett hosted the event in their home overlooking Round Pond. Geoff Bates, LCDC’s fundraising leader, organized and emceed the event. Nobleboro’s Seacoast Catering provided hors d'oeuvres and drinks. Singer-songwriter John Schindler of Boothbay Harbor performed and led the guests in singing “God Bless America” to close the event. 

The LCDC uses the money raised through this and other fundraising initiatives to support local efforts in Lincoln County. Its grassroots mission is to organize volunteers and communicate with voters in support of candidates who believe in the Democratic ideals and principles of government by, of, and for all the people. When federal office holders and candidates appear only as featured guests and do not solicit funds or donations.