Sameer Kanal is an American politician who is currently member of the Portland City Council from District 2 after being elected along with Dan Ryan and Elana Pirtle-Guiney in the 2024 election.[1][2] Kanal is one of the twelve inaugural members of Portland's new expanded city council after switching from a city commission government to a mayor–council government.[3] He will be the first Asian American (along with fellow council member-elect Tiffany Koyama Lane) and first South Asian American to serve on Portland City Council.[4]

Early life and education

Kanal was born in Portland, Oregon at the Bess Kaiser Hospital that is now part of the Adidas America headquarters.[5] He grew up in the Overlook neighborhood. His parents immigrated from India. His father was a small business owner and his mother worked for the State of Oregon helping new refugees.[6]

Kanal attended Clark College and received his Associate's degree in international relations and political science. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and economics from the University of Washington before getting his Master of Science degree in global affairs from New York University.[7][8]

Career

One of Kanal's yard signs for his 2024 city council campaign

On May 28, 2024, Kanal announced his intention to run for a seat on the newly expanded city council in the 2024 election.[9]

Kanal, along with Dan Ryan and Elana Pirtle-Guiney, won the race to represent District 2, which covers North and most of Northeast Portland.[2]

He, along with fellow council members Mitch Green of District 4 and Tiffany Koyama Lane of District 3, are members of the Democratic Socialists of America.[citation needed]

Personal life

Kanal lives in the Portsmouth neighborhood.[10]

He is a drummer, and in high school frequently performed at the Portland Saturday Market. He is a fan of the Portland Trail Blazers and is a season ticket holder for the Portland Timbers and Portland Thorns FC.[11][6]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Sameer Kanal: Portland City Council District 2". The Oregonian. September 13, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "MultCo Elections - Ranked Choice Voting Results". rcvresults.multco.us. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  3. ^ "Learn more about the City of Portland's transition | Portland.gov". www.portland.gov. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
  4. ^ Savio, Anna Del (October 18, 2024). "RUNNING FOR OFFICE: Tiffany Koyama Lane". NW Labor Press. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  5. ^ "Know Your Candidates 2024: Sameer Kanal, Portland City Council, District 2". KATU. October 16, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  6. ^ a b "About Sameer Kanal". Kanal for Portland. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  7. ^ "City Council Entrance Interview: Sameer Kanal". Willamette Week. November 1, 2024. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  8. ^ "Sameer Kanal: Portland City Council District 2". The Oregonian. September 13, 2024. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  9. ^ "City of Portland Community Safety Division Leader Sameer Kanal Announces Run for City Council". Kanal for Portland. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  10. ^ "Sameer Kanal - Candidate Filing". City of Portland.
  11. ^ "City Council Entrance Interview: Sameer Kanal". Willamette Week. November 1, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
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