Introduction
Mingus Ulysses Mapps (born April 9, 1968) is an American professor and politician in Portland, Oregon. He was elected to the city council in November 2020, winning 56% of the vote, making him the third Black man to serve as a Portland city commissioner.
Education
Mapps graduated from Reed College and received his Ph.D. in government from Cornell University.
Career
Mapps, a former political science professor, promised during his campaign to reform Portland's police department, pass policies that protect renters, expand Portland Street Response teams in all parts of the city to reduce homelessness, and pay for more mental health services.
He is currently the commissioner in charge of the Water Bureau, the Bureau of Environmental Service and the Bureau of Emergency Communications.
In July 2023, Mapps announced that is running for mayor of Portland, in the election to be held in November 2024.