Former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard delivers remarks at the U.S. Army Women’s Foundation Hall of Fame Induction ceremony, honoring women who served in the military.
If Tulsi Gabbard runs in 2028, it won’t be as a fresh face. She’s been in the political trenches for over a decade — and she’s collected just as many enemies as supporters along the way. Her path to this moment is a story of sharp turns, burned bridges, and a refusal to stay in anyone’s lane.
Early Political Rise
- 2002: Elected to Hawaii’s state legislature at just 21 years old, making her one of the youngest lawmakers in the nation at the time.
- 2003–2004: Paused political career to deploy with the Hawaii Army National Guard to Iraq.
- 2006–2009: Served as a legislative aide and deployed again to the Middle East.
The Washington Years
- 2012: Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Hawaii’s 2nd district. Quickly rose in prominence, earning a vice-chair role at the Democratic National Committee.
- 2016: Resigned from the DNC to endorse Bernie Sanders over Hillary Clinton, citing disagreements with the party’s handling of debates.
- 2017–2019: Took increasingly independent positions, criticizing U.S. foreign policy and media bias.
The Break with the Party
- 2020 Presidential Run: Stood out on the debate stage for her takedowns of Kamala Harris and criticism of regime-change wars.
- 2022: Formally left the Democratic Party, declaring it “an elitist cabal of warmongers.”
- Post-2022: Appeared frequently in alternative media, positioning herself as a political outsider.
2028 Positioning
By 2028, Gabbard’s brand is built on being outside the two-party system — a candidate who can speak to disillusioned voters across the spectrum. Her timeline isn’t a straight line; it’s a series of calculated breaks from the establishment. And every one of those breaks is part of why she’s still a threat today.
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