Tenure and Charter Controversy

Claire O’Hara was first elected to the North Smithfield Town Council in 2016 and has been re-elected in 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024. Her initial election in 2016 was met with immediate scrutiny due to a potential conflict with the Town Charter, which prohibits municipal employees from serving on the Council.

At the time, O’Hara was a teacher within the North Smithfield school system. While she initially indicated she would retire if elected, she later challenged the charter's provision, citing state law. In June 2017, shortly before a Rhode Island Superior Court ruling on her eligibility, O’Hara accepted a $15,000 retirement buyout offered by the town. She was the only teacher to accept the incentive, effectively resolving the legal challenge to her seat.

Legislative Stances and Public Interactions

During her terms, Councilwoman O’Hara has been involved in several high-profile debates regarding town resolutions and public discourse:

• The Nike Resolution: In 2018, O’Hara supported a resolution to restrict town funds from being spent on Nike products. During the public hearing, her interactions with constituents drew criticism. When a woman of color testified that the resolution sent an unwelcoming message to the community, O’Hara interrupted to state she did not believe the testimony. Following the public comment period, O’Hara remarked, “Maybe you shouldn’t live here, or anywhere else,” and concluded her statement by declaring, “All lives matter”.

• Comments on Gender Identity: In 2021, O’Hara faced criticism for social media comments regarding a transgender student. She stated that “Biology is a fact… not a choice” and referred to gender-affirming transitions as an “altered state.” When questioned, she defended her statements as a matter of personal opinion.

• Emergency Housing Opposition: In 2023, following the closure of the Cranston Street Armory, the Community Care Alliance utilized two North Smithfield motels to house displaced individuals and families. O’Hara expressed that she was “aghast” at the plan, citing safety concerns regarding the presence of homeless individuals in the town.

Term Limits and Future Eligibility

The North Smithfield Town Charter stipulates that council members may not serve more than eight consecutive years. Due to these mandated term limits, Councilwoman O’Hara is not eligible to seek re-election in 2026.