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Tulsi Gabbard is one of the rising stars in the Democratic Party and is one of the candidates in a crowded field for the 2020 presidential election. The Congresswoman from Hawaii is just 38 years old and brings some youth and energy to a party that is looking to find its direction for the future.
The four-term Congresswoman announced her candidacy on February 2, 2019.
“When we raise our right hand and volunteer to serve, we set aside our own interests to serve our country, to fight for all Americans. We serve as one, indivisible, united, unbreakable ― united by this bond of love for each other and love for our country,” she said during her announcement. “It is in this spirit that today I announce my candidacy for president of the United States of America.”
Everything you need to know about the rising political star and presidential candidate can be seen below.
Tulsi Gabbard Ethnicity & Heritage
Gabbard is the first Samoan-American and first Hindu member of the United States Congress. She was born in Leloaloa, American Samoa on April 12, 1981. Gabbard’s father is of Somoan and European ancestry and was a lector at his Catholic church. Her mother, meanwhile, was born in Decatur, Indiana and is of German descent.
While her father practiced Catholicism, Gabbard’s mother was a practicing Hindu which led to Gabbard choosing Hinduism as her religion as a teenager.
Tulsi Gabbard Bio
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Born: April 12, 1981 (age 38)
Gabbard was home-schooled throughout high school before heading to the Philippines for a two-year Christian missionary academy. Gabbard attended Hawaii Pacific University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration.
Gabbard also spent time in the United States military as a member of the Hawaii Army National Guard. Gabbard served in a field medical unit as a specialist during a 12-month volunteer tour in Iraq. Gabbard obtained the rank of Major during her service. She continues to be enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard to this day.
To begin her political career, Gabbard served in the Hawaii House of Representatives from 2002 to 2004. She was elected at the age of 21 which made her the youngest woman to be elected to a U.S. state legislature. She resigned from her role as vice chair of the Democratic National Committee to endorse Senator Bernie Sanders during his 2016 presidential campaign.
Gabbard announced on February 2, 2019, that she would be running for the Democratic nomination in the 2020 presidential race.
