Stepping into the City of Portland’s Political Race
When it comes to community, engaging in politics is more than service—it’s sacrifice. Stepping into the City of Portland’s political race for a commission seat takes courage, resilience, persistence, determination, and, above all, a belief that serving as an elected official will result in better lives for all of us who call Portland home.
Born and raised in Northeast Portland, Portland City Council District 2 candidate Tiffani Penson describes her vision for the City as one where people and businesses thrive, are supported by transparent City policies and practices, and that all Portlanders have access to opportunities. Her focus is on making Portland a safe and livable city, housing our neighbors, strengthening our economy and ensuring a skilled workforce, and crafting a city budget that is accessible and accountable.
Tiffani has twice been elected by voters to serve on the Portland Community College Board of Directors, once in 2019 and once in 2023. During this time, the Opportunities Center on 42nd Avenue was built, which includes affordable housing and daycare, through partnership with Home Forward and the Native American Youth and Family Center. As PCC Board Chair, Tiffani oversaw the executive search for PCC’s new president, Dr. Adrien Bennings, the first Black woman president in the school’s history. Tiffani also co-led an effort to pass the bond measure to modernize and improve campus facilities.
Tiffani currently serves as the City of Portland’s People and Culture Manager, creating policies, leading and directing programs, and implementing change management designed to improve the experiences of those who work within the City and how the City delivers its services to the community. After more than 20 years with the City, Tiffani is no stranger to change and knows a thing or two about how to draft policies and get funding. A few of her long-running accomplishments include the City’s We Are Better Together program, the youth Summer Works program, and support of small businesses and technical assistance- all efforts that take ingenuity, collaboration, drive, stewardship and, above all, commitment.
Tiffani has a long resume of community service. Most recently, Tiffani serves as Board Chair of KairosPDX, and as a board member of the Northwest Native Chamber and Oregon Humanities. Her volunteerism also includes board service with Black Male Achievement, Business Diversity Institute, Black United Fund, and the Architecture Foundation of Oregon. She is a two-time recipient of the DJC’s Women of Vision Award, the National Association of Minority Contractor’s Chief Award, the City of Portland’s Shining Star Award, and the Northwest Native Chamber’s Warrior Award.
Her endorsements span the political and interest-based spectrum, with notable support from a wide variety of groups including SEIU, the NAYA Action Fund, Progreso Latino PAC, Portland Association of Teachers, United Portland, APANO Action Fund, the Carpenters Union, Portland Police Association, and Portland Firefighters Local 43, to name a few.
This is an important moment in the lifespan of the city. Portland is undertaking a transformation in its form of government that has been four years in the making, culminating this November with the election of 12 incoming City Commissions and a City Mayor. Three representatives from each of the four newly-formed districts will be elected in a ranked choice voting model, meaning the top three candidates with the most votes will be elected. The individuals elected will be responsible to make decisions on behalf of all Portlanders throughout the City, regardless of the district from which they come. Their decisions will impact us all. In light of the enormity of this responsibility, the City organized the Independent District Commission to establish the geographic boundaries for each district. As part of this work, the Commission recognized that it was imperative that historic Albina in N/NE Portland remain preserved in a single district and that keeping this community of common interest intact was a priority.
Based on census data, there was a 15% decrease in the number of Black residents living in District 2 between 2010 and 2020. As the demographics of N/NE Portland continue to change, there is great importance on finding representatives that understand the historical and current context of those demographic shifts and the communities they impact. Differing perspectives on issues of government accountability, community empowerment, inclusion, and livability often split along racial lines, due in large part to the different lived experiences of people from different communities. In District 2, the disruption and displacement of the Black community from historic Albina continues to have a lasting impact. The City itself acknowledges the disparities and harm that the Black community have endured under City policies and righting those wrongs is a shared responsibility. Designing a voting block that honors the preservation of the historic Albina district to reflect its history and common interest is one important step. However, empowering the voice of that voting block by electing a City Commissioner who truly embodies and represents the history and the spirit of the Albina district is quite another.
To learn more about the ranked choice voting, go to www.portland.gov/vote/ranked-choice-voting. To learn more about the City of Portland’s district map, go to https://www.portland.gov/transition/districtcommission/map. To learn more about Tiffani Penson, go to www.tiffaniforpdx.com
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