Khanh Pham
American politician (born 1978)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Khanh Pham (born 1978)[1] is an American politician and activist currently serving as a member of the Oregon State Senate. A member of the Democratic Party, she represents the 23rd district, which consists of a portion of Southeast Portland, Northeast Portland, and the city of Maywood Park. She previously served in the Oregon House of Representatives from 2021 to 2025, representing the 46th district.
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Khanh Pham | |
|---|---|
| |
| Member of the Oregon Senate from the 23rd district | |
| Assumed office January 13, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Michael Dembrow |
| Member of the Oregon House of Representatives from the 46th district | |
| In office January 11, 2021 – January 13, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Alissa Keny-Guyer |
| Succeeded by | Willy Chotzen |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1978 (age 47–48) Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Lewis & Clark College (BA) Portland State University (MA) |
Pham is considered one of the most progressive members of the Oregon Legislature.[2]
Early life and education
The daughter of refugees from Saigon, Vietnam, Pham was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.[3] When she was 11, Pham moved to Irvine, California with her family. In 2001, she earned a Bachelor's degree from Lewis & Clark College, studying Sociology/Anthropology, and Political Economy. She later earned a Master's degree in Urban Studies from Portland State University.
Career
Early career
From 2004-2011, Pham worked for various non-profits Global Fund for Women, Hesperian Health Guides, Refugee Transitions, and the "Making Contact" radio program. From 2011-2014, she was a PhD student researcher at Portland State University, specializing in climate adaptation and equity planning.
From 2015 to 2020, she worked as a community organizer on environmental justice and climate justice at Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon and at OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon, and helped launch the Oregon Just Transition Alliance.[4][5] In 2016-2018, she helped co-found and lead the Portland Clean Energy Fund initiative campaign, which passed in 2018 and is currently raising millions of dollars to reinvest in community-led projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while providing community benefits, particularly to low-income and marginalized communities.[6]
Oregon House of Representatives
After incumbent Democrat Alissa Keny-Guyer announced that she would not seek re-election in the 2020 election, Pham announced her candidacy to succeed her. Pham won the Democratic primary, defeating former County Commissioner Jeff Cogen.[7] In the November 2020 general election, she did not face a Republican challenger.
Pham assumed office on January 11, 2021.[8] In the 2021 legislative session, Pham helped pass HB 2021 Clean Energy for All, a bipartisan bill to move Oregon's electricity grid to 100% renewable energy by 2040.[9] Pham also helped to win a $185 million joint investment package from the state and local governments to improve road traffic safety on 82nd Avenue and transfer ownership of 82nd Ave from the state of Oregon to the city of Portland.[10] Following the 2021 Taliban offensive, Pham was chosen to lead a task force alongside representative Kayse Jama to coordinate the resettlement of 1,200 refugees from Afghanistan in Oregon.[11]
Pham was reelected in the 2022 Oregon House of Representatives election.[3] In 2023, Pham advocated for the "Protect Local Journalism Act"[12] to fund emergency grants to local news outlets.
In September 2023, Pham announced she would run for the Oregon Senate in the 23rd district, a seat being vacated by the retiring Michael Dembrow.[13]
Committee Assignments (2025)
Personal life
Pham and her husband, Hector, have one daughter.[1] She and her family live in the Jade District of Portland, Oregon.[15]
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Khanh Pham | 54,001 | 97.5 | |
| Write-in | 1,372 | 2.5 | ||
| Total votes | 55,373 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Khanh Pham | 18,230 | 98.9 | |
| Write-in | 210 | 1.1 | ||
| Total votes | 18,440 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Khanh Pham | 24,289 | 83.8 | |
| Republican | Timothy R Sytsma | 4,658 | 16.1 | |
| Write-in | 44 | 0.2 | ||
| Total votes | 28,991 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Khanh Pham (incumbent) | 8,424 | 99.28 | |
| Write-in | 61 | 0.72 | ||
| Total votes | 8,485 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Khanh Pham | 30,155 | 97.6 | |
| Write-in | 731 | 2.4 | ||
| Total votes | 30,886 | 100% | ||