Al Jabbar Announces Campaign for Anaheim City Council, District 3

Anaheim Union High School District Trustee Jabbar Seeks to Bring People Together to Help Anaheim Recover from the COVID-19 Pandemic and Deliver More Essential Services for Residents

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Anaheim, CA — Anaheim Union High School District Trustee Al Jabbar announced his campaign for Anaheim City Council District 3, currently held by termed out councilmember Dr. Jose Moreno, in a video posted on his social media. A long-time community leader and advocate for Anaheim’s students, Jabbar seeks to ensure Anaheim’s working families can pursue healthy and stable lives for years to come.

Jabbar’s track record of results opened the doors of opportunity for countless Anaheim students. Understanding the barriers many families face when accessing educational resources, he helped start the Parent Leadership Academy, equipping hundreds of Anaheim Union High School District parents with the knowledge and leadership skills they need to advocate for their kids. Jabbar also played an instrumental role in creating the “Anaheim Educational Pledge.” This comprehensive student support system puts students on a pathway to college or a technical career from the day they enter Kindergarten. Jabbar also prioritized school safety and security by utilizing bond money to create state-of-the-art facilities, a one-point entry at all campuses, and a digital map of the entire school system to ensure emergency preparedness.

Speaking on his campaign for City Council, Jabbar stated, “Anaheim unlocked the doors of opportunity for my family and me to prosper. That’s why I have spent my time serving our community on our high school board and ensuring the next generation has the resources they need to succeed. We can and must do the same for our city, delivering more for our residents and addressing the equity gaps that unfairly leave many hardworking people behind.”

Jabbar’s effective leadership has resulted in essential outcomes for the community. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, he brought stakeholders together to ensure students had what they needed for virtual learning, worked with nonprofits to set up food distribution to feed Anaheim families, and helped organize vaccination sites to help meet the community’s greatest needs.

Jabbar seeks to continue to work alongside community leaders to collaboratively expand and introduce necessary programs for Anaheim’s residents as the COVID-19 pandemic recovery continues. His priorities include ensuring greater access to good-paying jobs, supporting small businesses, increasing access to health care and mental health services, investing in proven solutions to address homelessness, and encouraging sustainable development and community wellness with more open spaces.

“I want Anaheim to be a place where every resident — no matter their background — can prosper. I’m running for City Council to ensure every resident has access to a good-paying job and a healthier and safer neighborhood. I’m asking you to join me in this campaign, and let’s work together toward a better future for Anaheim.”

About Al Jabbar:

Al Jabbar, the son of an educator and attorney, was born and raised in Sri Lanka and immigrated to the United States with his parents when he was a teenager. When they arrived in Orange County, Jabbar enrolled at Cypress College, balancing school while working multiple jobs to support his family. He waited tables during the overnight shift at Denny’s near Disneyland and picked up hours at a nearby Kentucky Fried Chicken and Del Taco. After work, Jabbar took three buses to make his 8:00 AM class.

Jabbar used his voice to increase equity and academic support as a Cypress College student government leader and Student Trustee to the North Orange County Community College Board. After earning his Associate’s Degree, Jabbar transferred to California State University, Fullerton, where he completed his Bachelor’s degree in Marketing. After working in mortgage services and real estate, he returned to school and earned his Master of Public Administration from California State University, Long Beach. He chose to dedicate his career to public service by working for the County of Orange Probation Department and the Orange County Health Care Agency.

He became active in the several Anaheim Community Groups and was eventually appointed Anaheim Union High School District Trustee in 2013 – a position he was subsequently elected to twice. Understanding that immigrant families face barriers to accessing educational resources, Jabbar helped start the Parent Leadership Academy and played an instrumental role in creating the “Anaheim Educational Pledge.” This comprehensive student support system puts students on a pathway to college or a technical career from the day they enter Kindergarten.

He currently serves as Deputy Chief of Staff to Supervisor Doug Chaffee, where Jabbar has directed more county resources to help Anaheim address health care and transportation needs. He also served Anaheim as a Cultural & Heritage Commissioner for seven years, helping promote the arts and several cultural events within the city.

An active member in the progressive movement, Jabbar served as a board member of the Orange County Employees Association and the Orange County Young Democrats. As the former president of the Sri Lanka Muslim Association of California, he was instrumental in providing aid to Tsunami victims and other relief.

Jabbar and his wife, Sameeha, reside in Anaheim with their three children. Their two eldest attend Anaheim public schools.

Learn more at AlJabbarForAnaheim.com