Sam Adams (Oregon politician)

Sam Adams, American politician, 51st Mayor of Portland

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Born: September 3, 1963
Age in 2026: 63
Zodiac sign: Virgo
Birth year: 1963

About Sam Adams (Oregon politician)

Samuel Francis Adams (born September 3, 1963) is an American politician in Portland, Oregon. Adams was mayor of Portland from 2009 to 2012 and previously served on the Portland City Council and as chief of staff to former Mayor Vera Katz. Adams was the first openly gay mayor of a large U.S. city. == Early life and education == Samuel Adams was born in Butte, Montana, to parents Larry and Karalie Adams. Adams was the third of four children. When he was a year old, his family moved to Richland, Washington, but shortly after moved to Newport, Oregon. Adams graduated from high school in 1982, then started at the University of Oregon in 1984. Adams did not graduate from college until 2002, when he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Oregon in political science. == Early career == Adams began his career in politics as a staffer on Peter DeFazio's 1984 campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives in Oregon's 4th district. He dropped out of the University of Oregon to work on Peter DeFazio's successful bid for Congress.

Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.

Career and life highlights

After DeFazio won, Adams worked as a communications and policy assistant in his Oregon office, and on his re-election campaigns until 1988.
In a 2004 election for a seat on the Portland City Council, Adams received fewer votes than candidate Nick Fish in the primary election, but Adams won the general election.
In the primary election, held May 20, 2008, Adams won 58 percent of the vote and was elected without the need for a run-off.

Sam Adams (Oregon politician) timeline

1988After DeFazio won, Adams worked as a communications and policy assistant in his Oregon office, and on his re-election campaigns until 1988.
2004In a 2004 election for a seat on the Portland City Council, Adams received fewer votes than candidate Nick Fish in the primary election, but Adams won the general election.
2008In the primary election, held May 20, 2008, Adams won 58 percent of the vote and was elected without the need for a run-off.
2009Adams was mayor of Portland from 2009 to 2012 and previously served on the Portland City Council and as chief of staff to former Mayor Vera Katz.

The world when Sam Adams (Oregon politician) was born

Sam Adams (Oregon politician) was born in 1963. The year snapshot below places that birthday in its cultural and historical setting: the music and films people were following, the headlines shaping public life, and the everyday prices families encountered.

Culture in 1963

#1 song"Sugar Shack" – Jimmy Gilmer
Top movieTom Jones
Top TV showThe Beverly Hillbillies
Best-selling bookThe Bell Jar – Sylvia Plath

Headlines and milestones

Major sports momentJim Clark wins his first Formula One World Championship
Top headlinePresident Kennedy assassinated in Dallas on November 22
Technology milestoneTouch-tone telephone introduced
Defining fadBeatlemania begins
Notable inventionLava lamp
World population3.20 billion

United States snapshot

U.S. leaderJohn F. Kennedy / Lyndon B. Johnson
Sports championLos Angeles Dodgers (World Series)
Also wonBoston Celtics (NBA)
U.S. population189.2M

1963 versus 2026

These figures put everyday life in Sam Adams (Oregon politician)'s birth year beside the site's latest United States snapshot.

Measure	1963	2026
Gas	$0.31	$3.45/gal
Average home	$13,100	$435,000
Average income	$8,200	$67,500
Minimum wage	$1.25	$7.25/hr (federal)
Movie ticket	$0.85	$11.95
Postage stamp	$0.05	$0.73
Population	189.2M	341 million

Sources and editorial standards

This profile combines a biographical source with structured birthday and historical context. Sources recorded for this profile: Wikipedia, Our Campaigns. See our editorial policy for sourcing, corrections, and review standards.

Read the source biography on Wikipedia. Wikipedia text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.