Behind the Scenes…
Meet Sam Adams
Sam’s Mom and kids in Newport
Childhood in Newport, Oregon
Sam Adams was born to Kara, a teenage high school dropout, and Larry, a teacher and commercial fisherman who struggled with alcoholism. Growing up in the small coastal town of Newport, Oregon, Sam witnessed the local economy collapse. Overlogging devastated the timber industry, and overfishing forced his father to seek other work.
Sam 3rd Grade
Dreaming of the Big City
At age eleven, Sam began delivering newspapers for *The Oregonian*. Each day, he read the paper cover to cover, developing a fascination with current events and a dream of moving to the big city, Portland. Struggling with his identity, he felt isolated, knowing no one else who was gay, and dealing with the challenges of his father’s addiction.
Growing Up in Eugene
Thanks to public housing and food stamps, Sam’s single mom-led family managed to get by. His mother got a GED and earned a college degree. By sixteen, Sam was living largely on his own in Eugene, where he attended high school, was involved in student government, track, and cross-country sports, and worked in the evenings and weekends as a dishwasher, busboy, and cook at Mr. Steak.
A Passion for Public Service
Sam’s early experiences shaped his passion for public service. He saw firsthand how effective government policies, like food stamps and subsidized housing, could help families survive, while ineffective policies, like those leading to overfishing, could devastate communities.
After high school, he started his career in public service as an intern with Lane County government, then as a campaign and congressional aide to U.S. Congressman Peter DeFazio in Eugene.
Moving to Portland, Finally!
Sam finally fulfilled his childhood dream of living in Portland at 26, serving as campaign manager and chief of staff to Mayor Vera Katz. He was elected in 2004 to the Portland city council, the as mayor. He returned in 2021 to Portland City Hall as a mayoral aide to Ted Wheeler.
Nonprofit Leadership
As executive director of the City Club of Portland and later a director at the World Resources Institute, Sam continued his mission to pass pragmatic policies that improve people’s lives.
Home Life
Sam enjoys spending his free time with his husband, author Peter Zuckerman, and their two dogs, Dora and Jojo. His hobbies include beekeeping, beer-making, gardening, and photography.
MEDIA KIT
Logos and campaign approved images of Sam available for download.