VIDEO: Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Announces Re-election Bid

US Rep. Tulsi Gabbard today announced the launching of her re-election campaign for 2014.

Gabbard is in her first term representing the Second Congressional District, which comprises the neighbor islands and rural Oahu.

After winning in a crowded field of challengers in the 2012 Democratic primary — which included Mufi Hannemann and Esther Kia`aina — she easily defeated Republican David “Kawika” Crowley in the general election.

Crowley indicated last month he intended to pursue his party’s nomination again this year.

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Today’s launching included outlining of some highlights of her first term in office including:

• Introduction of the Helping Heroes Fly Act which received unanimous support in both the House and Senate.  The measure improves airport security screenings for our severely wounded warriors, and was signed into law by President Obama in August.
• Leading passage of a measure to reinstate the Native Hawaiian Education Act to increase student achievement and opportunity among native Hawaiian keiki.
• The adding of a provision to the farm bill to assist the state’s coffee farmers, and efforts to help protect them from the destructive coffee berry borer pest.
• Fighting for the welfare of service men and women who have been victims of sexual assault .
• Speaking out against the overreach of the National Security Agency, its data collection on innocent Americans, and sponsoring legislation such as the USA Freedom Act, to bring necessary reforms to protect privacy and civil liberties.

Gabbard previously served in the Honolulu City Council. She won election to the state House in 2002 at the age of 21, becoming the youngest person ever elected to the Hawaii Legislature.

In 2004, Gabbard enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard and twice voluntarily deployed to Iraq.

A native of American Samoa, she is the first member of the House of Samoan ancestry, the first Hindu member and one of the first female combat veterans elected to Congress.