What did you like most about Grant?

I had fabulous teachers. What I liked best was that everybody for the most part got along well. Even if you were an athlete or a scholar or you were really into drama, everybody mingled. And I’m still friends with people today I went to Grant with.

So you were a cheerleader. What was that like?

It was really fun. Some of us were really good. Our yearbook teacher was one of the people who was on the panel to choose cheerleaders and she said: “I chose you not because you were any good, but because you were really loud and we need someone who is really loud.”

Did you like cheering?

Yeah, it was really fun. We tried to be supportive of our women’s teams as well, which I think hadn’t really happened in the past. The cheerleaders had been mostly focused on the guys’ sports.

Did you know you wanted to get into politics when you were in high school?

No, and I didn’t ever do student government. My parents were both in politics and so it was kind of a rebellion thing. My parents are very progressive, liberal, so being a cheerleader and trying out for the Rose Festival court was my way of rebelling.

What piece of advice would you give kids who want to go into politics?

Go talk to an elected official. Our elected officials are very accessible. You can run into them at the grocery store, see them at a ballgame, or you can pick up the phone and call and make an appointment and go talk to them. The elected officials really want to help and encourage young people to be politically engaged and politically active. You can’t just have all 40-60 year olds making rules and laws in our community. You need a younger voice. I think people, especially young folks, just don’t think they have this great power.

Your oldest son starts high school at Cleveland next year. Do you have any concerns for him? What will he do?

I think every parent is nervous. You have memories of times in high school that weren’t so terrific. Just that fear, especially at the beginning of the year when you don’t know your schedule or what your classes are going to be like. He will be wrestling next year.

So you have been Oregon House Minority Leader, a Multnomah County Commissioner and now you’re running for county chair. How has that been?

It’s tough, but it’s good. I mean I get to meet a lot of interesting people and learn about different programs that people are working on and issues that people are working on in the community. I work 7 a.m. to 9 or 10 at night. It’s hard. I have three kids. They miss having their mom around.

Do you run across a lot of Grant alumni on the campaign trail? 

Yes, I do all the time. It’s really awesome.

Your schedule is really busy these days. But when you do have free time, what do you like to do?

I like to go running. I actually started running when I was in high school. I didn’t ever do cross country but I started running to stay in shape and it’s a great way to clear your head. I’ll be struggling with an issue like how should I vote, how do I work through the maze to solve the problem…I go for a run and it becomes clear. ♦

To learn more about Deborah Kafoury and her successful campaign for Multnomah County chair, click here. 

For information on all of the races in Portland and Multnomah County, click here.

Check out the rest of our Time With interviews for more brief snapshots of Grant community members.