Gov. Brad Little on Wednesday appointed Twin Falls County Commission Chairman Don Hall to fill Rep. Lance Clow’s seat in 2026.

Clow, a Republican from Twin Falls who turns 78 this month, sits on the House Education Committee and previously served as its chair. He announced his resignation in November, citing health limitations and a desire to pursue “personal goals and family commitments.”

Both Clow and Hall have a long history of service in Twin Falls.

Hall, a former mayor of Twin Falls, told EdNews on Thursday that he’s known Clow since the ’90s, when Clow was a city councilman and Hall was a local police officer. He can’t say he will vote exactly the same as Clow.

“I think we’re certainly different people, and we have different life experiences,” Hall said.

Clow has experience in banking and Hall is a former Marine.

Hall said he’s not sure if he will keep Clow’s committee assignments. He will meet with Speaker of the House Mike Moyle to decide if he will sit on House Education.

“I look forward to visiting with Speaker Moyle regarding that, and see what the needs are, and what my skill set could bring to the table,” Hall said.

The newly appointed legislator said he supports school choice, and believes there aren’t “cookie cutter kids.” But he also appreciates public schools and doesn’t want to “burn the system down.”

He declined to say how he would have voted on House Bill 93, the $50 million private school tax credit bill. Clow voted against the bill, but sponsored his own bill that would have created education savings accounts for parents to use for private school tuition.

“I can’t tell you how I would vote for something that I wasn’t there for the debate on,” Hall said. “I would just tell you, overall, I am pro school choice, but it’s got to be done in a measured way so it doesn’t destroy what we have.”

Regarding his position as a county commissioner, Hall said he plans to keep the seat through the end of the month. He said he will not be a county commissioner and legislator in Boise at the same time.

Hall has had his eyes on the Legislative District 25A seat for several months. He filed his intent to run with the secretary of state in August and has raised $4,000, according to Idaho Sunshine.

His fellow county commissioner, Brent Reinke, is also running for the Legislature in District 25. He filed his intent to run for the Senate in September. He will face Sen. Glenneda Zuiderveld in the May primary.

“I think it’s gonna be a rambunctious May 19 primary,” Hall said.

The official filing period to run for the Legislature is Feb. 23-27. At this point, no one besides Hall has filed financial reports with the Secretary of State to run for Clow’s seat.

Hall and his wife of 38 years, Jennifer, are the parents of three children who reside in the Magic Valley, according to a press release from the governor’s office. He volunteers on the St. Luke’s Community Board and the South Central Public Health Board. Hall is also involved in the Filer Community Church, serving on their board of directors.

Hall will complete the remainder of Clow’s term, which ends Nov. 30, 2026, according to the press release.