City of Portland Community Safety Division Leader Sameer Kanal Announces Run for City Council

PORTLAND, Ore., May 28, 2024 – Sameer Kanal, Advisory Boards and Commissions Manager at the City’s Community Safety Division, announced his candidacy today for City Council. Kanal, 38, is a resident of Portsmouth in North Portland, and is running in District 2, which includes North and most of Northeast Portland. A longtime leader in local and regional politics and community advocacy in his home town Portland, and in Washington State, this is his first run for public office. 

“We’re going to make our city safer and more prosperous for all of us, which needs leaders committed to action on community priorities”, said Kanal. “Portlanders deserve a city government we can all trust, and it’s up to government to take the first steps to make things work.”

Previously, Kanal was Project Manager for the City’s Police Accountability Commission from September 2021 through its final presentation to City Council in September 2023. His work focused on building consensus; the Commission, filled with Portlanders from all walks of life, approved its final recommendations unanimously. In his current role, he supports recruitment, onboarding and training, and compliance for several groups where community members advise the City on public safety.

A key focus of Kanal’s is integrity to the will of the voters. “Portlanders have approved a lot of big initiatives over the last few years, . It’s up to us in City government to implement, not to undermine ,” said Kanal. Issue priorities of the campaign will include community safety, infrastructure development, and housing affordability and homelessness.

Kanal was born in North Portland. His family has been in the Portland metro area for 50 years.

Learn more at kanalforportland.com.