Who will fill vacant SLO County board seat following Adam Hill’s death?
The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors seat left vacant following Adam Hill’s sudden death may be filled by an appointee selected by Gov. Gavin Newsom, according to county leaders.
Hill, 54, who served as District 3 supervisor since he was first elected in 2008, died of undisclosed causes at his Shell Beach home on Thursday.
He released a statement in early July announcing he was seeking treatment for depression at a residential health program following a March suicide attempt.
Hill won his March 3 primary election against opponent Stacy Korsgaden with 51.4% of the vote, according to Tribune archives. Korsgaden and Hill were the only candidates running in the primary, so the District 3 race was not slated to be part of the Nov. 3 general election.
County Counsel Rita Neal said on Friday that Newsom will likely select an appointee to fill Hill’s District 3 seat, even with the general election around the corner. Neal said she has seen the appointment process take place quickly, although it can sometimes take months.
As the victor in a two-person primary race, Hill is legally seen as the winner of the election, Neal said. That means Newsom will appoint a replacement who will serve in Hill’s place until the next general election in 2022, she said.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Neal said of Hill’s death. “It think we are all really sad, but we will move forward because we are a strong and resilient county.”
San Luis Obispo County last faced such a situation in 2013, when District 4 Supervisor Paul Teixeira died of a heart attack.
Following Teixeira’s death, Gov. Jerry Brown appointed Caren Ray Russom — the current mayor of Arroyo Grande — to serve the last year of Teixeira’s term.
Newsom on Friday released a statement about Hill’s death, which was posted on the county’s website.
“Jennifer and I were saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Supervisor Adam Hill, who represented his community in San Luis Obispo County with passion and optimism since 2009,” Newsom said in the statement. “As we reflect on his legacy as a public servant and champion for the homeless, we also honor the candor with which he shared his mental health journey.
“We will hold Supervisor Hill, his family and the San Luis Obispo community in our hearts during this difficult time.”
