Tiffany Koyama Lane (she/her) got her start as a teacher at Sunnyside Environmental School in Portland, which is where she earned the moniker Teacher Tiffany which she uses to this day. Teacher Tiffany is running for re-election to Portland’s city council. This millennial democratic socialist is the first city council Vice President in Portland’s history, as well as the first Asian-American woman member on council. Tiffany is passionate about environmental justice as social justice, strong labor contacts, safe streets, and healthy communities.

Where are you based?
Portland, Oregon

What is your position?
I am a Portland City Councilor running for re-election in District 3.

How would you briefly summarize your platform?
I am fighting for a Portland where people of all ages, wages, and stages can live with dignity. This means streets save from traffic violence, housing that is affordable for everyone, and joyful public programs rather than giveaways to billionaires.

What inspired you to run?
In 2020, Portland voters approved a historic reform to our city’s charter, taking our city government from a four-person at-large commission system, to 12 members from 4 districts representing each quadrant of the city. The first election for this new form of government was in 2024. I had been a public school teacher for 16 years and was very active in my union and other forms of community organizing, like getting universal preschool on the ballot. People from my labor and organizing worlds encouraged me to run, pointing out that this new form of government was a unique opportunity to get everyday people, not career politicians or power players, into office. I ran, and in 2024 became the first ever Asian American woman to hold office in Portland’s city government.

What change are you hoping to bring to your district and country?
Portland’s old form of government allowed for a lot of backroom deals and informal lobbying that was not transparent to regular people in the city. Part of my goal as a Councilor has been to bring City Hall to community, and bring community into City Hall. I want to prioritize the programs that really benefit and improve quality of life, rather than continue to center wealthy and powerful people in our city’s decision-making.

How long have you been in office? What do you consider to be your major accomplishments so far?
I have been in office since January 2025. I am proud that I was able to recommit our City to having zero traffic deaths and serious injuries on our streets, securing an unanimous vote and a lot of administrative and fiscal resources to reverse the trend that has been going in the wrong direction for years. We’ve already implemented some quick, low-cost safety improvements to streets and I anticipate much bigger changes in the next few years. I also helped coordinate the City’s Trump response with Trump put a target on Portland’s back. I was able to organize Council into a unanimous vote to enshrine our sanctuary status into city code, and then expand those protections for our immigrant neighbors to extent to our LGTBQ+ community members. I continue to try and find as many levers of power as possible at the city level to fight the fascist regime in the White House. I’m also proud of work we’ve done to move forward social housing, and fight for a better deal for Portlanders in our negotiations with the Blazers’ billionaire owner.

What do you feel are the most important issues right now, why, and how do you plan to tackle them?
Housing and affordability continue to be huge issues for Portlanders, and our next legislative cycle needs to zero in on those.

America is extremely divided these days. How would you hope to bridge that divide with your constituents to better unite Americans?
As a public school educator and union organizer, I know you have to bring people face to face to work through difficult things. I also believe most people don’t actually wish harm on their neighbors. I continue to emphasize community input, transparency, and working through difficult conversations, while keeping your values as a north star.

How do you see your unique identity and background to be an asset to you in office?
As I mentioned, I am the first Asian American woman ever to hold elected office in Portland city government. My colleague Sameer Kanal and I were the first Asian Americans as we were both electeds to the Portland City Council in 2024. I am a fourth-generation Japanese American, Yonsei, which means that my grandparents were forced into World War II incarceration camps. That legacy lives with me and really informs how I govern, particularly during this frightening fascist moment.

What is your motto in life?
When you lose your laugh, you lose your footing -Ken Kesey

Where can we find out more about you?
www.teachertiffanyforthepeople.com and https://www.instagram.com/teachertiffanyforthepeople

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Tiffany Koyama Lane, Portland, OR City Council, District 3