Leading nonpartisan PAC for women endorses Tulsi Gabbard for Congress
HONOLULU [October 25, 2011]
“I can’t think of a better role model for young women,” says WUFPAC’s President.
Congressional candidate Tulsi Gabbard has received the endorsement of the Women Under Forty PAC (WUFPAC), a nonpartisan political action committee dedicated to supporting young women for public office. “WUFPAC is proud to support Tulsi Gabbard.
By the age of 30, she has already been elected to public office twice, and served two tours of duty in the Middle East. She has spent her life working to help strengthen her community and the world. I can’t think of a better role model for young women thinking about running for office!” said Katie Vlietstra, WUFPAC’s President.
“We are excited to support her candidacy for Congress.” One of the premier groups for female candidates nationwide, WUFPAC’s goals are to empower young women with an equal voice in shaping public policy and to build the seniority of women in Congress by electing women at a young age. In endorsing Gabbard, WUFPAC cited Tulsi’s compelling “record of public service.”
Tulsi Gabbard co-founded the Healthy Hawaii Coalition at age 19 , a non-profit grassroots organization whose mission is to protect the environment and improve individual and community health. At age 21, Tulsi became the youngest woman in U.S. history ever elected to a state legislature—a position she subsequently gave up to serve in the Middle East as a member of the U.S. Army National Guard.
WUFPAC has helped elect include Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (AZ), Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), and Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (the current chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee).
“It’s an honor to be in such company and receive this vote of confidence,” said Gabbard, age 30. “People in Hawaii are struggling already with the tough economy, lack of jobs, and high cost of living. We simply cannot continue with business as usual. As I’ve talked to people from Hilo to Hanalei, they share my belief that we need a new kind of leader. We need leaders who put the people first—not the politicians, corporations, or special interests. I will always put the people first. Today’s endorsement adds to the momentum we are feeling across the state and underscores the fact that our campaign offers the best chance to bring new leadership to Congress.”
The announcement by WUFPAC is just the latest endorsement Tulsi has earned, joining previously-announced support from IBEW 1186, IBEW 1260, Plumbers & Fitters Local 675, Boilermakers Local 627, Elevator Constructors Union Local 126, and Insulators and Asbestos Workers Local 132. As a member of the Hawai’i National Guard, Tulsi Gabbard served two tours of duty in the Middle East. She was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for her service. Returning home, Tulsi was elected to the Honolulu City Council, remains a member of the Hawai’i National Guard, and was recently commissioned as a Captain.
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For more information about Tulsi Gabbard, or to get involved in her campaign, please visit www.TulsiGabbard.com, email Tulsi@VoteTulsi.com, or call 808-861-0793.
