Sameer Kanal
Sameer Kanal | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Portland City Council from District 2 | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2025 Serving with Dan Ryan and Elana Pirtle-Guiney | |
| Preceded by | office established |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Clark College (AA) University of Washington (BA) New York University (MS) |
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
[edit]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
[edit]
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]
Personal life
[edit]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
[edit]- List of New York University alumni
- List of people from Portland, Oregon
- List of University of Washington people
References
[edit]- ^ "Sameer Kanal: Portland City Council District 2". The Oregonian. September 13, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
- ^ a b "MultCo Elections - Ranked Choice Voting Results". rcvresults.multco.us. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
- ^ "Learn more about the City of Portland's transition | Portland.gov". www.portland.gov. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
- ^ Savio, Anna Del (October 18, 2024). "RUNNING FOR OFFICE: Tiffany Koyama Lane". NW Labor Press. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
- ^ "Know Your Candidates 2024: Sameer Kanal, Portland City Council, District 2". KATU. October 16, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
- ^ a b "About Sameer Kanal". Kanal for Portland. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
- ^ "City Council Entrance Interview: Sameer Kanal". Willamette Week. November 1, 2024. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- ^ "Sameer Kanal: Portland City Council District 2". The Oregonian. September 13, 2024. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
- ^ "City of Portland Community Safety Division Leader Sameer Kanal Announces Run for City Council". Kanal for Portland. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
- ^ "Sameer Kanal - Candidate Filing". City of Portland.
- ^ "City Council Entrance Interview: Sameer Kanal". Willamette Week. November 1, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
