The political landscape in Senate District 15 shifted significantly this week as an experienced Oregon education specialist officially launched a primary challenge against one of the most influential moderate Democrats in Salem. Myrna Muñoz, an education consultant and sister to State Representative Lesly Muñoz (D-Woodburn), announced via social media that she will seek the Democratic nomination for the seat currently held by Senator Janeen Sollman (D-Hillsboro).
The 15th District is the heart of Western Washington County, encompassing the majority of Hillsboro, along with Cornelius, Forest Grove, and the Rock Creek area.
A Clash of Priorities
Muñoz, who began serving as an education specialist for English learners with the Oregon Department of Education in January, is positioning herself as a progressive alternative. With a background as an adjunct instructor at Portland State University and a consultant for multilingual education, Muñoz enters the race citing deep ties to local immigrant and farm-working communities.
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While the challenger faces a steep climb in name recognition and funding—Sollman currently holds a campaign war chest of over $210,000—Muñoz is tapping into a vein of local dissatisfaction regarding recent legislative priorities, specifically the rapid expansion of data centers and the state’s response to federal immigration enforcement. Sollman has not been seen as making these issues a priority.
The Data Center Debate
The timing of the challenge coincides with heightened scrutiny over Senate Bill 1586. Senator Sollman, the Senate Assistant Majority Leader, has been a lead sponsor of the bill, which originally sought to double the length of property tax breaks for programs frequently utilized by the data center industry. The Bill and Sollman continue to blindly focus on grabbing 1,700 acres and bringing it into the Urban Growth Boundary, despite the fact that residents here overwhelmingly oppose it. No one seems to understand what is driving Senator Sollman, who clearly is struggling to get community members to believe her “No Stand-Alone Data Centers” messages in this new expansion land. Her Bill’s tax giveaways will strip funding from schools, parks, roads, and the community, not for 5 years as we have become used to, but now for 10 years.
Under pressure from constituents and advocacy groups, Sollman recently indicated she would strip that specific provision from the bill via a forthcoming amendment, but she supports the Governor’s Bill 4084, which all but guarantees that Mega-Corps will get 10-year property tax waivers.
However, for Muñoz and her supporters, the existing “industry-friendly” reputation of the incumbent remains a primary target. Sollman has received thousands in campaign donations from the big energy sector, land owners seeking to make tens of millions, and lobbyists. Munoz told us she is shocked that all of this is happening, as the Senator has refused to hold local stakeholder meetings or town halls.
Tensions Over Leadership Style
The divide between the two candidates was further highlighted by a January 30 town hall held alongside Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield. Attendees at the event raised harrowing concerns regarding aggressive ICE enforcement in the community.
Muñoz has characterized leadership’s response at that event as lacking the necessary compassion for a community in crisis. Sollman was stoic and offered few solutions or emotion in response to community members who came to express their fears, lived experiences, and suffering households and businesses.
The Road to May
Sollman has served in the Senate since 2022, following a five-year tenure in the House. Known for a moderate voting record, she has occasionally broken ranks with her party, including a 2025 vote against a bill requiring tech giants to pay for local journalism content and a vote against unemployment benefits for striking workers.
Muñoz is expected to seek endorsements from major labor unions and leaders who have recently pressured moderate Democrats to align more closely with progressive tax and labor policies.
Key Dates:
March 1: Muñoz campaign kick-off event (Details TBA).
May 19: Oregon Primary Election.
As the race for SD 15 heats up, the Herald will continue to track how these two visions for Hillsboro’s future resonate with local voters. Munoz hit a nerve last night and laid down the gauntlet about why Sollman and Hillsboro Mayor Beach Pace are proceeding with the biggest land grab in Oregon History as if the people of Hillsboro and surrounding communities do not matter, and do not deserve a seat at the table, when in fact those same people built and own the table.
Munoz exudes a fierce passion for all of the people of Washington County, for education, for smart use of our community resources, and our farmlands and natural environment.
Follow Munoz at her social media page @myrnafororegon
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Go Myrna! I’m excited! You give me hope!
Yeah I suppose I’d rather have Myrna even though I won’t vote for her. It’s a joke to refer to Sollman as a “moderate Democrat”. When on the HSD1J school board she was anything but moderate. 45% of the voters in WashCo as well District 15 will continue to have ZERO representation be it Myrna the “Progressive” or Sollman the Socialist. It’s really tough living here being screwed by everyone currently in elected office.