Commissioner who made controversial comments leads Clackamas County race by razor-thin margin

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Clackamas County commissioner Mark Shull holds a narrow lead over challenger Melissa Fireside despite Shull’s controversial first term, which was marred by the reportedly racist, Islamophobic and transphobic views shared on his Facebook page.

With less than a 1% lead, the race for Clackamas County Commissioner Position 4 appears destined for a November runoff. As of 11 a.m., Shull leads by 206 votes with 36.77% of the counted ballots Fireside, meanwhile, holds 36.97% of the vote.

Shull’s controversial social media page was documented by a blog titled “Documenting Mark Shull’s Racism.” The blog, created by Clackamas County Democrats Chair Cris Waller, focuses on roughly 20 of Shull’s Facebook posts from 2019 to 2020.

The Oregonian reported that his fellow board members requested that he resign during his first month in office. However, Shull remained on the board for his full term and is now seeking reelection.

In a statement sent to KOIN 6 News, Shull said that he anticipates he will win the likely runoff set for the general election.

"I appreciate all those voters who turned in a ballot and exercised their civic duty, regardless of their political affiliation,” Shull said. “Everyone is free to pick the candidate of their choice. I am convinced that in the general election, I will be able to show those voters that my re-election will be in their best interest and for a good future for Clackamas County.”