Kayse Jama

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Kayse Jama

| image = Kayse Jama.jpg

| office = Majority Leader of the Oregon Senate

| term_start = November 16, 2024

| term_end =

| predecessor = Kathleen Taylor

| successor =

| state_senate1 = Oregon

| district1 = 24th

| term_start1 = January 6, 2021

| term_end1 =

| predecessor1 = Shemia Fagan

| birth_date = {{birth based on age as of date|49|2023|6|21}}

| birth_place = Somalia

| death_date =

| death_place =

| party = Democratic

| spouse = Stephanie Stephens

| children = 2

| education = Marylhurst University (BA)

| signature = Kayse Jama Signature.png

| website = {{url|oregonlegislature.gov/jama|State Senate website}}

}}

Kayse Jama (Somali: Kayse Jaamac, Arabic: كايس جاما; born 1973/1974)https://www.wweek.com/news/2023/06/21/the-good-the-bad-and-the-awful-oregon-senate/ is an American politician currently serving as Majority Leader of the Oregon State Senate. A Democratic member of the Oregon State Senate, he represents Oregon's 24th Senate district, which includes parts of Clackamas and Multnomah Counties. Jama was appointed by the Clackamas and Multnomah County Board of Commissioners to replace Shemia Fagan, who was elected Oregon Secretary of State in 2021.{{Cite web|title=Senator Jama Kayse Home Page|url=https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/Jama|access-date=2021-02-03|website=www.oregonlegislature.gov|archive-date=2021-02-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206032830/https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/Jama|url-status=live}}

Early life and education

Jama was born into a nomadic family in Somalia. At eight years old, he moved to the capital, Mogadishu, to begin his education. Jama graduated from high school just as the civil war erupted, and he lived as a refugee for several years before arriving in San Diego in 1998.{{cite news |last1=Ackerman |first1=Ken |title=Comcast Newsmakers: Kayse Jama |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az0kRUC6h-0 |access-date=11 March 2021 |work=Comcast |date=September 12, 2013 |archive-date=12 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212214551/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az0kRUC6h-0&gl=US&hl=en |url-status=live }} He settled in Portland, Oregon, shortly thereafter. He staffed the front desk at the Portland DoubleTree Hotel and helped other newly arrived refugees adapt to life in the United States as a case manager at Lutheran Community Services Northwest, eventually receiving a bachelor's degree in sociology from Marylhurst University.{{cite web |title=Ballotpedia Page |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Kayse_Jama |website=Ballotpedia |publisher=Ballotpedia |access-date=11 March 2021 |archive-date=24 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124131853/https://ballotpedia.org/Kayse_Jama |url-status=live }}

Career

In 2021, Jama stepped down as Executive Director of Unite Oregon after being appointed to the Oregon State Senate. He replaced State Senator Shemia Fagan, who was elected to serve as Oregon Secretary of State.{{cite web |last1=Dake |first1=Lauren |title=Kayse Jama, community organizer and Somali immigrant, nominated to Oregon Senate |url=https://www.opb.org/article/2021/01/06/kayse-jama-oregon-senate-multnomah-clackamas-counties/ |website=Oregon Public Broadcasting |publisher=Oregon Public Broadcasting |access-date=25 July 2021 |archive-date=26 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726023720/https://www.opb.org/article/2021/01/06/kayse-jama-oregon-senate-multnomah-clackamas-counties/ |url-status=live }} Jama represents Senate District 24 which comprises East Portland and North Clackamas. He is the first Muslim to serve in the Oregon State Legislature and the first former refugee to serve in the Oregon State Senate.{{cite news |last1=Jensen |first1=Latisha |title=Kayse Jama Appointed to District 24 Seat, Becoming First Muslim in the Oregon State Senate |url=https://www.wweek.com/news/2021/01/06/kayse-jama-appointed-to-district-24-seat-becoming-first-muslim-in-the-oregon-senate/ |access-date=11 March 2021 |work=Willamette Week |date=January 6, 2021 |archive-date=3 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203215820/https://www.wweek.com/news/2021/01/06/kayse-jama-appointed-to-district-24-seat-becoming-first-muslim-in-the-oregon-senate/ |url-status=live }}

From 2005 to 2007, he trained immigrant and refugee community leaders in five Western states — Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Utah and Idaho — under a New Voices Fellowship at the Western States Center.{{cite web |title=Meet Kayse |url=https://www.jamafororegon.com/meet_kayse |website=Kayse Jama for Oregon Senate |access-date=25 July 2021 |archive-date=2 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802000742/https://www.jamafororegon.com/meet_kayse |url-status=live }}

=Unite Oregon=

In 2002, Jama co-founded the Center for Intercultural Organizing, now Unite Oregon, after witnessing racial incidents in Portland following the September 11 attacks in 2001.{{cite web |title=Kayse Jama, Executive Director, Center for Intercultural Organizing |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az0kRUC6h-0 |website=YouTube |publisher=Comcast Newsmakers of Oregon and Southwest Washington |access-date=25 July 2021 |archive-date=12 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212214551/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az0kRUC6h-0&gl=US&hl=en |url-status=live }} Jama served as the director of the statewide nonprofit organization until 2021.

While at Unite Oregon, he led community organizing and ballot measure campaigns to reduce the influence of money in politics,{{cite news |title=OPINION M107: Connections, money shouldn't limit election choices |url=https://pamplinmedia.com/pt/10-opinion/484192-390402-opinion-connections-and-money-shouldnt-limit-election-choices |access-date=11 March 2021 |work=Portland Tribune |date=October 15, 2020 |archive-date=1 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101050312/https://www.portlandtribune.com/opinion/opinion-m107-connections-money-shouldnt-limit-election-choices/article_cc69e959-e270-5af4-84d7-b5411ad1425d.html |url-status=live }} end police profiling,{{cite news |last1=Sevcenko |first1=Melanie |title=New Law Aims to Curb Profiling |url=https://www.theskanner.com/news/northwest/25041-new-law-aims-to-curb-police-profiling |access-date=11 March 2021 |work=The Skanner |date=February 16, 2017 |archive-date=16 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516023540/https://www.theskanner.com/news/northwest/25041-new-law-aims-to-curb-police-profiling |url-status=live }} reform Oregon's hate crime laws,{{cite news |last1=Morrison |first1=Erica |title=Hate Crime Victims, Family Members Pressure Oregon Legislators For Change |url=https://www.opb.org/news/article/oregon-hate-crime-victim-legislator-attorney-general-legislation/ |access-date=11 March 2021 |work=Oregon Public Broadcasting |issue=June 5, 2019 |archive-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204150948/https://www.opb.org/news/article/oregon-hate-crime-victim-legislator-attorney-general-legislation/ |url-status=live }} and expand drug treatment.{{cite news |last1=Eschner |first1=Kat |title=The war on drugs didn’t work. Oregon’s plan might. |url=https://www.popsci.com/story/health/oregon-drug-decriminalization-war-on-drugs/ |access-date=11 March 2021 |work=Popular Science |date=February 1, 2021 |archive-date=27 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227195243/https://www.popsci.com/story/health/oregon-drug-decriminalization-war-on-drugs/ |url-status=live }} Jama has also been a founding member of several coalitions in Oregon, including Fair Shot for All and the Oregon Health Equity Alliance.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}} Jama was an advocate for the passage of Oregon ballot measure 110 which sought to decriminalize the use of drugs such as heroin.{{Cite web |date=2020-08-26 |title=A Campaign to Decriminalize Drugs Faces a Different Kind of Controversy |url=https://www.wweek.com/news/state/2020/08/26/a-campaign-to-decriminalize-drugs-faces-a-different-kind-of-controversy/ |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=Willamette Week |language=en}}

=Oregon State Senate=

Jama is the chair of the Senate Committee On Housing and Development, and he serves on the Senate Committee On Labor and Business, and the Joint Committee On Ways and Means Subcommittee On Transportation and Economic Development.{{cite web |title=Committees |url=https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/Jama/Pages/committees.aspx |publisher=Oregon State Legislature |access-date=24 July 2021 |archive-date=24 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724233947/https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/Jama/Pages/committees.aspx |url-status=live }}

Jama was elected Senate Majority Leader on November 16, 2024.{{cite press release|url=https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/senatedemocrats/Documents/Senate%20Democrats%20Elect%20Leadership%20Team%20Ahead%20of%202025%20Legislative%20Session.pdf|title=Senate Democrats Elect Leadership Team Ahead of 2025 Legislative Session|date=November 16, 2024|access-date=December 3, 2024|publisher=Oregon Legislative Assembly}}

Awards

Jama has been awarded the Skidmore Prize{{cite web |title=What Is The Skidmore Prize? |url=https://www.wweek.com/news/2011/07/05/what-is-the-skidmore-prize/ |website=Willamette Week |access-date=25 July 2021 |archive-date=25 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725180219/https://www.wweek.com/news/2011/07/05/what-is-the-skidmore-prize/ |url-status=live }} for outstanding young nonprofit professionals (2007),{{cite news |last1=Martin |first1=Cristina |title=Skidmore Prize Winner Kayse Jama |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71MsV42mvdU |access-date=11 March 2021 |work=Willamette Week |date=November 7, 2007 |archive-date=1 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101050334/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71MsV42mvdU |url-status=live }} the Oregon Immigrant Achievement Award from Oregon chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (2008),{{Cite web|title=Kayse Jama for Oregon Senate|url=https://www.jamafororegon.com/|access-date=2021-02-03|website=Kayse Jama for Oregon Senate|language=en|archive-date=2021-02-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209021312/https://www.jamafororegon.com/|url-status=live}} the Lowenstein Trust Award, presented yearly to “that person who demonstrated the greatest contribution to assisting the poor and underprivileged in Portland" (2009),{{cite news |title=Kayse Jama awarded 18th Annual Steve Lowenstein Trust Award in Council |url=https://www.portlandoregon.gov/fish/article/277355 |access-date=11 March 2021 |work=City of Portland |date=December 16, 2009 |archive-date=23 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423061009/https://www.portlandoregon.gov/fish/article/277355 |url-status=live }} the Portland Peace Prize (2012),{{cite news |last1=Ford |first1=Nate |title=Refugee Activist Wins Portland Peace Prize |url=https://pamplinmedia.com/pt/9-news/110575-refugee-activist-wins-portland-peace-prize# |access-date=11 March 2021 |work=Portland Tribune |date=May 31, 2012 }}{{Dead link|date=April 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} the Rankin Award in recognition of "lifelong activism and extraordinary service" (2016), the Northwest Workers’ Justice Project's Tribune of Worker Justice Award "celebrating his dedication to uplifting the lives of Oregon immigrant and low-wage workers" (2017), and a Rockwood Leadership Institute's Strengthening Democracy Fellowship (2019).{{cite web |title=Strengthening Democracy Fellows |url=https://rockwoodleadership.org/2019-strengthening-democracy-fellows/ |website=Rockwood Leadership Institute |access-date=11 March 2021 |archive-date=5 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605102033/https://rockwoodleadership.org/2019-strengthening-democracy-fellows/ |url-status=live }}

Personal life

In 2004, Jama married Stephanie D. Stephens, who serves on the David Douglas School Board{{cite web |title=David Douglas School District Board of Directors |url=https://www.ddouglas.k12.or.us/school-board/ |access-date=11 March 2021 |archive-date=27 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227000244/https://www.ddouglas.k12.or.us/school-board/ |url-status=live }} in Portland, Oregon. Their twins, Sahan and Saharla, were born in 2010.{{cite news |last1=June |first1=Sophia |title=Adorable Portland Six-Year-Old Creates Fundraising Campaign to Make Aid Packs for Homeless People |url=https://www.wweek.com/news/2016/11/05/adorable-portland-six-year-old-creates-fundraising-campaign-to-make-aid-packs-for-homeless-people/ |access-date=11 March 2021 |work=Willamette Week |date=November 5, 2016 |archive-date=12 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712201516/https://www.wweek.com/news/2016/11/05/adorable-portland-six-year-old-creates-fundraising-campaign-to-make-aid-packs-for-homeless-people/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Sorenson |first=Saundra |title=Kayse Jama Reflects On Becoming Oregon’s First Muslim Senator |url=https://www.theskanner.com/news/northwest/30954-kayse-jama-reflects-on-becoming-oregon-s-first-muslim-senator |access-date=11 March 2021 |work=The Skanner News |date=February 4, 2021 |archive-date=14 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214025901/https://www.theskanner.com/news/northwest/30954-kayse-jama-reflects-on-becoming-oregon-s-first-muslim-senator |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Campaign Web Site |url=https://www.jamafororegon.com/meet_kayse |website=Jama for Oregon |access-date=2021-03-11 |archive-date=2021-03-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305171218/https://www.jamafororegon.com/meet_kayse |url-status=live}}