Johnny Khamis

Khamis in 2019

Johnny Khamis is an American politician from San Jose, California and was a member of the San Jose City Council, representing District 10.

Khamis is a Christian of Palestinian descent.[1] He grew up in San Jose and attended local public schools, graduating from Oak Grove High School. He is a graduate of San Jose State University in Business Management and Communication.[2] He is the former CEO and founder of Western Benefit Solutions, a San Jose-based firm that deals in insurance benefit plan consulting.[3]

He was a member of the Republican Party, until changing his registration to no party preference in protest of the Trump administration family separation policy.[4] City council positions are officially nonpartisan per California law. With his swearing-in on December 31, 2012,[5] he became the first Arab-American to take office for the city of San Jose.[6] He is the former regional director of the California Congress of Republicans,[7] the former chair of the Santa Clara County Human Relations Commission, and the former chair of the San Jose Small Business Development Commission during his time as a councilmember.[8]

  1. ^ Herhold, Scott (January 14, 2013). "Herhold: San Jose Councilman Johnny Khamis battles with police and fire union chiefs". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  2. ^ "About Councilmember Johnny Khamis". City of San Jose. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  3. ^ "Western Benefit Solutions". Archived from the original on 2013-10-29. Retrieved 2013-10-09.
  4. ^ Thomsen, Jacqueline (June 26, 2018). "San Jose City Council members leave GOP over Trump treatment of immigrant families". Roll Call. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  5. ^ San Jose Mercury News, mercurynews.com. Accessed November 4, 2022.
  6. ^ Arab American Institute Archived 2013-10-09 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ "Ex-Mayor skips debate, irks state GOP group". San Jose Mercury News. November 4, 2001. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  8. ^ Bryant, Dale (May 10, 2012). "Johnny Khamis, San Jose District 10 council candidate". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved October 25, 2013.