Tulsi Gabbard (born April 12, 1981) is an American politician, United States Army Reserve officer, and political commentator. She served as the U.S. Representative for Hawaii's 2nd congressional district from 2013 to 2021 and was a candidate for the Democratic nomination in the 2020 United States presidential election. Gabbard is notable for being the first Hindu member of the United States Congress and the first Samoan-American voting member of Congress.

Early Life and Education

Gabbard was born in Leloaloa, American Samoa, to Mike Gabbard and Carol Porter Gabbard. In 1983, her family moved to Hawaii, where she was raised. Her father is of Samoan and European descent, and her mother is of European descent. Raised in a multicultural and multireligious household, Gabbard embraced Hinduism as a teenager, influenced by the Bhagavad Gita.

She was mostly homeschooled, with two years spent at a girls' school in the Philippines. Gabbard later earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Hawaii Pacific University in 2009.

Military Service

In 2003, Gabbard enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard. She served a 12-month tour in Iraq from 2004 to 2005 and was later deployed to Kuwait from 2008 to 2009. Her military service has been a significant influence on her political views, particularly her stance on foreign policy and military intervention.

Political Career

Hawaii State Legislature

At age 21, Gabbard was elected to the Hawaii House of Representatives in 2002, becoming the youngest woman ever elected to a U.S. state legislature at the time.

Honolulu City Council

After her military service, Gabbard served on the Honolulu City Council from 2011 to 2012, focusing on issues such as infrastructure and public safety.

U.S. House of Representatives

In 2012, Gabbard was elected to represent Hawaii's 2nd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. During her tenure, she served on the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees. Gabbard was known for her non-interventionist foreign policy stance and advocacy for veterans' issues.

2020 Presidential Campaign

Gabbard announced her candidacy for the Democratic nomination in the 2020 presidential election. Her campaign emphasized an anti-interventionist foreign policy, criminal justice reform, and environmental protection. She gained attention for her debate performances but ultimately suspended her campaign in March 2020 and endorsed Joe Biden.

Political Positions

Gabbard's political positions have evolved over time:

• Foreign Policy: Advocates for ending "regime change wars" and reducing U.S. military intervention abroad. She has been critical of U.S. involvement in Syria and met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2017, a move that drew bipartisan criticism.

• Civil Liberties: Opposes the PATRIOT Act and has expressed concerns about government surveillance programs.

• Social Issues: Initially held conservative views on LGBTQ+ rights but has since apologized and expressed support for LGBTQ+ equality. However, in 2020, she introduced a bill that would ban transgender women and girls from participating in female sports, aligning with more conservative positions.

• Party Affiliation: In October 2022, Gabbard announced her departure from the Democratic Party, citing its "elitist cabal of warmongers." She has since aligned more closely with Republican figures and endorsed Donald Trump for the 2024 presidential election.

Media and Public Perception

Gabbard has been a polarizing figure in American politics. Supporters praise her anti-war stance and independence, while critics point to her past associations and shifting political positions. She has been a frequent guest on various media outlets and, as of 2025, serves as a political commentator and author.

Personal Life

Gabbard married Abraham Williams, a cinematographer and editor, in 2015. The couple had a traditional Vedic wedding ceremony in Hawaii. Gabbard continues to practice Hinduism and is a lifelong vegetarian.

References

1. Tulsi Gabbard - Wikipedia
2. Political positions of Tulsi Gabbard - Wikipedia
3. Tulsi Gabbard's views on Russia, Syria, Trump and government surveillance - AP News
4. Tulsi Gabbard, Alleged LGBTQ+ Ally, Introduces Dangerous Anti-Trans Sports Bill - Them
5. Tulsi Gabbard takes aim at former party at CPAC - The Guardian