Letter to the editor: In support of Sollman’s re-election to State Senate District 15

Brian Schimmel is a Forest Grove city councilor.

I’m writing to express my support for Janeen Sollman for State Senate District 15—grounded not in party identity, but in how she actually governs.

I support Janeen Sollman for re-election because she has demonstrated a consistent willingness to engage directly with school districts and local leaders—even when the conversations are difficult. That matters more than broad promises or campaign slogans.

Most notable, our region’s schools face real challenges: uneven funding, growing student needs, and the long-term effects of statewide decisions that don’t always translate cleanly at the local level. Addressing those challenges requires more than policy statements. It requires coordination between state leadership and the professionals responsible for implementation—superintendents, school boards, and educators on the ground.

What I’ve observed from Senator Sollman is a commitment to that coordination. She engages across perspectives, asks practical questions about how policy will actually function, and recognizes that durable solutions are built in partnership with local communities—not imposed from a distance.

Education is not improved through accountability pushed downward. It improves when leaders prioritize collaboration, informed design, and operational readiness. Progress comes from leaders willing to sit at the table, understand trade-offs, and align policy with the realities facing students and families.

That is the kind of leadership our district needs—and why I support Senator Sollman’s re-election.

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