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Hall challenges for 38A delegate seat

Kirkland Hall

By Greg Ellison, Staff Writer

(Nov. 1, 2018)

Dr. Kirkland Hall Sr., the Democratic candidate for District 38A Maryland Delegate, has deep Lower Shore roots and a legacy of civil rights advocacy and community activism that motivated constituents to spark his candidacy.

Hall, a graduate professor and coach at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore for more than four decades, said a contingency of focus groups and coalitions approached him two summers ago to seek help in light of the 2018 election.

“They said, ‘We know your reputation and you’ll fight for what’s right … you believe in helping people and we want you to consider running,’” he said.

A graduate of Somerset Junior Senior High School (presently Washington High School), Hall joined the Democratic Club of Somerset County in 1986 and served for half dozen years as Chair of the Somerset County Democratic Central Committee.

After consulting with family for a few months, he filed his candidacy last September.

“I talked to my wife, my daughter in Nashville and my children that live in this area,” he said. “They said, ‘Daddy, go for it,’ so I threw my hat in the ring.”

Last December, Hall was invited to speak at the Factory Farm Summit in Ocean City, which was organized by the Socially Responsible Agricultural Project.

“I got positive responses and folks understood how serious I was about the environment and … about making sure small farmers were able to survive,” he said.

Hall is running on a threefold platform highlighting health care, education, and preserving the farming and seafood industries.

“I just can’t believe the response and the support I’ve gotten verbally from so many different groups,” he said. “That solidified that I made the right choice.”

Among Hall’s laundry list of accomplishments are: 20-plus years on the Somerset County Planning and Zoning Commission, serving as the former president of the Somerset County NAACP, and serving on the Somerset County Local Management Board and Somerset County Economic Development Commission.

“I thank God that I’ve been blessed with the ability to research and … orally express myself,” he said. “I’ve been involved in civil rights since 1986. I’ve been to court on numerous occasions and testified in the Senate.”

Hall graduated in 1973 from UMES, later obtaining a master’s in educational administration from Ohio State University and earned a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership and Government from UMES in 2012.

Now a great grandfather at 67, Hall said today’s leaders need to consult with tomorrow’s to ensure a brighter outlook.

“We’ve got to understand we’ve got a future in our children,” he said. “Let’s talk to the younger kids, because they’re going to be here when we’re gone.”

Hall said the dreams of future generations allow appropriate change to occur.

“It’s my responsibility to do the best I can and make sure they can fulfill their dreams,” he said. “We can’t allow what’s going on now to remain the same forever.”