RE-INTRODUCTION
I am the Independent Party of Oregon nominee for Oregon State Representative, House District 29 (no Republican candidate), ensuring voters in House District 29 will have a meaningful choice this November. Today, I am a small business owner and serve on the Forest Grove City Council — a 30-year resident and life-long Oregonian.
Across our district, I hear the same concerns repeated: the rising cost of living, the growing tax burden on working families and small businesses, poor educational outcomes, housing affordability, and the need for a stronger, more competitive state economy.
My time in office will reflect the same independent and determined leadership demonstrated as a city councilor, business owner, and community leader— focused on maximizing outcomes. My approach to governance is to work with people across the political spectrum to make policy work, without surrendering independent judgment or principles.
The campaign has generated significant interest throughout House District 29. County commissioners, three mayors, city councilors in three cities, members of two local school boards, leaders of both chambers of commerce and the Latino community have expressed a desire for a different approach to governance —
Practical leadership and measurable results.
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Our incumbent has a distinguished career in teaching and debate coaching, served 16 years on the Metro Council, and is approaching 12 years in the Oregon Legislature.
Those years of service—and the personal connections many of us have developed along the way—deserve respect. They should also be considered alongside the outcomes Oregon is experiencing today and the prospects we are creating for future generations.
I entered this race for my kids’ generation, for working families confronting an affordability crisis, and for in local residents and leaders who feel their voices have been lost in Salem and want another choice.
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Change is generational. It is expected.
It is time to kick the ball forward—to the next generation of leaders, ideas, and solutions.
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I will bring an implementation-focused approach centered on outcomes—design policy with the people expected to implement it, fund it responsibly, and measure whether it actually improves people’s lives. | | | | |
Responsibility for Oregon’s challenges does not rest with one legislator. It is shared across the Legislature, state agencies, governors, and decisions made over many years.
Yet, more than a decade of legislative service carries a meaningful share of responsibility for the policies enacted, the decisions made, and the outcomes we experience today.
This and subsequent newsletters will examine Oregon’s changing conditions, the legislative record, and campaign contributions using public records and source documents. My intention is truth-telling, not personal attacks.
The purpose is simple: put the information in front of voters to consider toward their vote this November.
My record is also available for examination. Accountability applies to all of us.
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Land Use and Enterprise Zone
The rapid expansion of data centers has exposed important questions about farmland, natural resources, electricity rates, infrastructure, and community impacts.
Too often absent from that debate is the legislative record—the state policies that helped enable data-center expansion through land-use decisions, tax incentives, and Oregon’s Enterprise Zone framework over more than a decade.
No single legislator or bill bears sole responsibility. These outcomes are attributed to a succession of decisions involving multiple legislators, administrations, and institutions.
Featured in the link below are three public-record resources: a Legislative Record and Corporate Contributions comparison of Rep. Susan McLain and Sen. Janeen Sollman, along with a Bill Vote Summary documenting the broader legislative history.
Their records reveal substantial overlap in support for the policies that shaped Oregon’s land-use and Enterprise Zone framework. Responsibility for those decisions extends well beyond any one legislator or bill.
Also featured are two links documenting my record and the direction taken by the Forest Grove City Council on this issue.
The purpose is to put the record in front of readers—who supported what, when, and how Oregon arrived where it is today.
👉Learn more in the full report
👉Learn more about Brian's record
👉Learn what Forest Grove City Council has done
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As the campaign enters its final weeks, voters can expect more mailers, phone calls, and competing claims about myself and Oregon’s future.
I encourage everyone to examine those messages carefully, ask who is behind them, and distinguish documented facts from political characterizations. Questions about affordability, public services, and the legislative record deserve substantive answers.
My record and positions are available for examination, too.
One characterization you may encounter is: “He’s a Republican.” My political affiliation and ballot nominations are matters of public record, as are my work and stated positions. I describe my approach as fiscally conservative and socially progressive. References below clarify the write-in nominations.
My life and nonprofit work have included advocacy and direct service alongside Latino families with children, domestic violence victims, homebound seniors, foster youth, veterans, and people experiencing housing and food insecurity.
As a City Councilor, I support adequately funding our firefighters and police officers, and comprehensive healthcare as part of all collective bargaining.
The principle connecting that work is straightforward: improve people’s lives, fund public services responsibly, and consider the burden on working families and small businesses.
It is a real compliment to see a race once expected to be easy now drawing the attention and resources of a major party. What began as a local campaign has become a contest receiving attention well beyond the district.
This brings to mind a constituent’s observation: “The incumbent is a state representative to the district, rather than a district representative to the state.” It captures an important distinction about whose voices and priorities should inform representation in Salem.
I welcome scrutiny of my record, questions about my positions, and direct conversation. Voters deserve the opportunity to consider the full picture rather than rely on a label or a campaign mailer.
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REFERENCES
Oregon Registration
My Vote | Oregon Secretary of State
Name: SCHIMMEL, BRIAN HENRY
Party: Independent Party
Status of filings by the Oregon Secretary of State, Elections Division
| Republican Primary and General Election Comparison | | |
The Write-In Tactic: Avoiding a Contested Election
A write-in nomination has been used to prevent a separate candidate from appearing on the general-election ballot under that party’s label. Both the incumbent and myself have used this tactic. The tactic shapes the field of candidates. It does not define a candidate’s full political philosophy or record.
To suggest otherwise is to narrow the conversation and dismiss the choices available to voters.
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My full interview with
J. Schuberth, Education Advocate and Parent.
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Education Reform: Funding and Outcomes
J. Schuberth explains Pencil’s imperatives for education reform and offers a call to action for those seeking to serve in the Legislature.
Oregon invests significantly in education. As J. notes, the state ranks 19th nationally in per-pupil spending, 10th in average teacher pay, and 3rd in retirement benefits—investments worth recognizing.
But funding alone does not explain Oregon’s educational outcomes. As J. puts it, if money were the only issue, Oregon would not rank 50th in fourth-grade literacy.
Their challenge to educators, parents and legislators is to look beyond how much we spend and ask a more fundamental question:
How much of that investment is actually reaching the classroom—and producing better outcomes for students?
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Pod-Side Chat is a series of practical conversations
with leaders and influencers in Oregon
UP NEXT: Small Business Owner in the district
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Thank You for Your Support
There are several ways you can help:
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Donate. Every dollar helps us communicate with voters throughout Forest Grove, Cornelius, and West Hillsboro.
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Host. Bring together neighbors, friends, and colleagues for an informal conversation.
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Volunteer. Write postcards, knock on doors, make calls, or simply introduce me to your network, there is a place for you.
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Share. Distribute this newsletter to your network, like and follow my social media posts.
I’m grateful to everyone who has chosen to be part of it—including you. Please reach out to me directly to learn more.
Thank you.
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Opportunities to connect, engage, share experiences and for casual conversation
Bring together neighbors, friends, and colleagues for an informal conversation
Please reach out to connect individually or as a group.
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Pacific Students Political Society (PSPS) at Pacific University will host a cross-examination style of conversation with candidates on October 19, 6:00 PM. The event will bring students into the political process, will be held on campus, and will be open to the public. Location to be announced.
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American Legion Post 2 in Forest Grove will host a candidate conversational forum on October 22, 6:00 PM to include State Representative and Forest Grove City Council candidates. This event will be held at the American Legion building (2003 21st Ave) and will be open to the public.
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Willamette Week endorsement interview was held on Monday, September 21st.
Candidates were interviewed together, each with a chance to introduce themselves and respond to questions. The taped endorsement interview will be posted to their website early October. Participation is an opportunity for voters to compare us.
| | Other candidate forums may be announced. | | Yard signs and window decals are now available | | Reach out to place an order: Brian@BrianSchimmel.org | | |
Candidate Meet & Greet
Gratitude to the friends, family, and colleagues who helped make our Spanish-language community meal and conversation possible. It felt like a reunion of sorts—sharing food, reconnecting with familiar faces, welcoming new ones, and creating space for conversation about our community and its future. Kind words were shared.
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Please like and follow my social media,
and share this message with friends!
| | Stay tuned for information, updates and events | | | | | |
