District 02 – Tulsi Gabbard (D)

Full Name: Tulsi Gabbard

Name on Ballot: Tulsi Gabbard

Age: 35

Political Party: Democrat

Running For: House

District (House): 2

Email Address: aloha@votetulsi.com

Current Job: Member, U.S. House of Representatives

Place of birth: Leloaloa, American Samoa

Campaign website: www.votetulsi.com

Job history past 10 years:

Legislative aide, U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka (2006-2008)

Hawaii Army National Guard (2003-present)

Honolulu City Council (2010-2012)

U.S. House of Representatives (2012-present)

Entrepreneur

Ever run for public office? If so, when? Outcome?

2002: elected to state House – District 42 (Ewa, Waipahu)

2010: elected to Honolulu City Council (Downtown Honolulu, Punchbowl, Kalihi Valley)

2012 and 2014: elected to U.S. House of Representatives (District 2)

Other civic experience or community service?:

Volunteer, Boys & Girls Club

Hawaii Army National Guard

What makes you qualified to be a U.S. representative?

I learned as a child that true happiness comes from being of service. Having served in local, state and federal government, and deploying twice with the Army National Guard, I bring unique experience to represent Hawaii in Washington. I would be honored to continue this service.

Do you support the use of United States combat troops in Syria to defeat ISIS, or to end the rule of President Bashar al-Assad?

I’ve led the fight to end the war to overthrow the Syrian government, which has increased human suffering and strengthened ISIS. I’ve called for U.S. alliance with Russia, Syria, Kurds, secular Sunni Arabs to defeat ISIS. No massive U.S. troop deployments — use limited special forces and air power.

Do you support the continued use of U.S. troops in Iraq, or should those troops be withdrawn?

The war to overthrow Saddam Hussein increased human suffering and strengthened terrorist organizations in Iraq. The U.S. should not be nation-building in Iraq. I support a political three-state solution and limited special forces to support local forces in defeating ISIS and other jihadist organizations.

Do you support the continued use of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, or should those troops be withdrawn?

We shouldn’t be nation-building in Afghanistan. Limited Special Forces troops may remain to support the Afghan military with training and intelligence to go after ISIS, al-Qaeda, and other jihadist organizations.

Should the United States recognize a Native Hawaiian government through an administrative rule or an act of Congress?

Regardless of the mechanism or process in getting there, Native Hawaiians, as a people, should be empowered to determine their own future and what kind of relationship they choose to have with the U.S. federal government.

What changes should be made to the federal Affordable Care Act?

Our present health care system is organized by and to benefit big insurance and pharmaceutical companies, not the people. All Americans should have access to health care through Medicare or public option. We must ensure universal health care, and empower the government to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies to lower prescription drug prices.

Should the federal government legalize marijuana?

I’ve supported legislation to declassify marijuana so it’s not treated the same as heroin, allow greater access to medical marijuana, and legalize industrial hemp. I support decriminalizing marijuana use, reducing this burden on our criminal justice system, and allowing states to determine whether / how to legalize marijuana.