Tulsi Gabbard

Tulsi Gabbard
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Hawaii's 2nd district
In office January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2021
Preceded by	Mazie Hirono
Succeeded by	Kai Kahele
Member of the Honolulu City Council from the 6th District
In office January 2, 2011 – August 16, 2012
Preceded by	Rod Tam
Succeeded by	Carol Fukunaga
Member of the Hawaii House of Representatives from the 42nd district
In office 2002–2004
Preceded by	Mark Moses
Succeeded by	Rida Cabanilla
Personal details
Born	(1981-04-12) April 12, 1981 (age 43) Leloaloa, American Samoa, U.S.
Political party	Republican (2024–present)
Other political affiliations	Democratic (1999–2022) Independent (2022–2024)
Spouse(s)	Eduardo Tamayo ​ ​ (m. 2002; div. 2006)​ Abraham Williams ​ (m. 2015)​
Alma mater	Hawaii Pacific University Officer Candidate School, Army
Awards	Meritorious Service Medal Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster Army Achievement Medal with Oak leaf cluster Army Good Conduct Medal Combat Medical Badge German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency in Gold
Website	House website
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	2004–present
Rank	Lt Colonel
Battles/wars	Iraq War

Tulsi Gabbard (born April 12, 1981) is an American politician who was a member of the United States House of Representatives for Hawaii's 2nd congressional district from 2013 to 2021. While in congress, she was a member of the Democratic Party. After leaving congress, she left the party to become an Independent.^[1] She was also a vice-chair of the Democratic National Committee until 28 February 2016. She resigned in order to support Senator Bernie Sanders for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination.^[2]

Gabbard was elected to congress in 2012. She is the first American Samoan^[3] and the first Hindu member of the United States Congress.^[4] Along with Tammy Duckworth, she was also one of its first female combat veterans.^[5]

In January 2019, Gabbard announced her plans to run for President of the United States in the 2020 presidential election. On October 25, 2019, Gabbard announced that she would not seek another term in Congress.^[6] She dropped out from the primaries on March 19, 2020 and announced her support for Joe Biden. After leaving the U.S. House in 2021, she became more conservative on social issues such as abortion and transgender rights and even spoke at the 2022 CPAC.^[7][8][9] Gabbard joined the Republican Party in October 2024.^[10]

1. ↑ Dress, Brad (October 11, 2022). "Gabbard Says She Can't Stay in 'Today's Democratic Party'". The Hill. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
2. ↑ "Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard resigns from DNC, endorses Bernie Sanders". Reuters. February 28, 2016. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
3. ↑ "Faleomavaega congratulates Tulsi Gabbard as first Samoan woman elected to the U.S. Congress". Samoa News. November 30, 2012. Retrieved December 6, 2012. Congressman Faleomavaega has congratulated Tulsi Gabbard on her recent election to the U.S. House of Representatives. Gabbard will become the first Samoan-American congresswoman after her swearing in ceremony at the opening of the 113th Congress.
4. ↑ "Hindu-American Tulsi Gabbard wins Democratic primary in Hawaii". The Economic Times. August 12, 2012.
5. ↑ Cindy Huang and Ellen Rolfes (November 12, 2012). "Meet the Incoming Congressional Class Veterans". PBS. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
6. ↑ Elfrink, Tim (October 25, 2019). "Tulsi Gabbard wont' run for re-election to Congress as she seeks Democratic presidential nomination". Washington Post. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
7. ↑ "Is Tulsi Gabbard the GOP's Dark Horse?". New Statesman. 2022-01-13. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
8. ↑ "A Bold Pro-Life Move for a Democrat". National Review. 2020-12-17. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
9. ↑ "Tulsi Gabbard Introduces Bill That Would Ban Trans Women and Girls from Female Sports". Time. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
10. ↑ Cite error: The named reference GOP2024 was used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page).