Commentary
Your vote this May matters. You already know that. But this Primary Election carries more weight than usual. Washington County is at a turning point, and the choice in front of us is not abstract. It is immediate, local, and consequential.
We are being asked to choose between two fundamentally different visions. One prioritizes rapid development, corporate incentives, and growth at any cost. The other centers working families, strong public services, and the long-term character of our communities. Call it what you want, job creation versus a fair shot for all, but the distinction is real.
On one side is what I call the Washington County development clique: a network of officials pushing aggressive land use changes and industrial expansion, often without meaningful community buy-in. On the other are leaders who believe growth should be responsible, balanced, and rooted in the needs of the people who live here.
We have already seen the consequences of the current approach. Hundreds of acres of farmland near Jackson School Road have been cleared, replaced with infrastructure that benefits large-scale development more than local families. We are told this is about jobs. We heard the same argument with major corporate tax incentives. Yet companies like Intel have scaled back operations and cut jobs, leaving behind fewer promises fulfilled than advertised.
The question is simple: how much more are we willing to give away before we reassess?
This election offers a clear path forward. Senate candidate Myrna Muñoz and Representative Susan McClain represent a different kind of leadership. Both bring deep experience in education and public service. Both understand that good policy is grounded in data, shaped by community input, and designed to serve the public, not just powerful interests.
Education consultant, sister of Oregon House representative will challenge Hillsboro Democrat
Censored? TV Interview With Oregon Data Center Moratorium Candidates Pulled
Their priorities are not abstract. They understand that education is the backbone of a functioning society. Our schools are still recovering from the impacts of COVID, and federal uncertainty only adds pressure. Without strong investment in education, we weaken our workforce, our healthcare system, and our broader economy. These systems are interconnected, and neglecting one undermines them all.
What we need now are leaders who see the full picture. Rep. Susan McLain and future Senator Myrna Muñoz will protect what makes Washington County livable while building a future that works for everyone.
That is the choice before us.
Joseph Gallegos is a former Democratic member of the Oregon House of Representatives, where he served District 30 (part of SD 15) from 2013 to 2017. Before entering public office, Joe spent decades in social work, education, and community service—including twenty years on the board of Catholic Charities in Portland. After a lifetime of serving Oregon’s communities, his choice to endorse Myrna is a testament to her integrity and her demonstrated passion for being a voice for everyone in our communities, especially the most vulnerable.
Both Janeen Sollman and Steve Calloway are making it clear if they win their elections, they want big changes done to Oregon’s land use system. This will not only affect Washington County, but all of Oregon permanently.