Harold Hutcinson, a 72-year-old retired Republican from Forest Grove, is running for Oregon State Senate District 15 in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. He faces Myrna A. Muñoz, who is running as a Working Families Party and Democratic candidate.

Asked why he is seeking office, Hutchison said in our candidate questionnaire: "For too long I have just watched Oregon's slide into mediocrity, grumbling in social media and letters to local papers and elected officials, but not being truly involved. I'm here now to give the voters a choice … It is time to bring some common sense back into governance."

Candidate information

Age: 72

Residence: Forest Grove. Hutchison said on his campaign website that he moved to Forest Grove in 1992 and still lives in his first house there. He said he has lived in Oregon since mid-1963, arriving in Pendleton at age 8.

Family: Asked about his family in our questionnaire, Hutchison said: "I have been married to my first and only wife (Liz) for more than 45 years. We have 5 children: 4 daughters, 1 son, ranging in age from 43 to 31. THEY do have their degrees, by the way, largely due to their father's insistence;'). My eldest has a Master's in Physics; my youngest has her PhD in Developmental Biology. I am proud of them all."

Education: Hutchison said in our questionnaire: "In 1978 I earned an Associate's Degree in General Studies from Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton. Then in 1988 I earned an ASEET (again from BMCC), after which I did a mid-life career change, moving my family from Eastern to Western Oregon in 1990. Here, I have spent many hours in additional coursework in my attempt to achieve a bachelors degree, but never managed to line up all the credits as required."

Party: Republican

Experience and public service

Asked about his work history, Hutchison said in our questionnaire: "I am retired under a RRB pension earned working in Eastern Oregon for the Union Pacific as a Brakeman/Conductor from 1979 to 1990. I spent the last 26 years of my career working locally in the high-tech industry, starting in 1990 as an entry level technician for Sequent Computer Systems in Beaverton, eventually being promoted to systems engineer. While in that capacity I was awarded 2 patents for my work in fiber optics. I also had stints with IBM, Intel, Radisys, and Serveron after IBM bought and dismantled Sequent …"

Asked about previous offices, Hutchison said in our questionnaire: "I have been appointed as a GOP Precinct Committee Person (PCP) this year (2026). I held the same position for a year in 1996, too."

Asked what accomplishments qualify him for the job, Hutchison said in our questionnaire: "It was work, hard work and lots of it, that raised me from being the only child of a single mother … to the point where I could put those 5 children into and through college, on a single income. … I am frugal, spending only what I must, and I believe that is an attitude that should be applied to our government as well, and will lead to a reduction in its size."

On the issues

According to his campaign website, Hutchison supports reducing government regulation, eliminating assessment-based property tax, restoring respect for the rule of law, restoring elections confidence, enacting term limits for legislators, upholding the U.S. and Oregon constitutions and restoring high academic standards.

Asked about the critical differences between himself and other candidates, Hutchison said in our questionnaire: "I believe that the American Dream, the dream of owning one's own home, is fundamental to the strength of our country. I also believe in personal responsibility … I believe in the rule of law, and that we all must comply strictly to the laws as written."

Voters can track Hutchison's campaign through his Facebook page and campaign website.