Eileen Laubacher

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U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Eileen Laubacher Eileen H. Laubacher (3).jpg
U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Eileen Laubacher

Eileen Laubacher is a retired two-star U.S. Navy Rear Admiral [1] [2] who served on the National Security Council under President Joe Biden. [3] [4] [5]

Contents

In the 2026 mid-term elections, Laubacher is running as a Democrat to face U.S. Congresswoman Lauren Boebert in Colorado's 4th congressional district. [6]

Education

Laubacher is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and was commissioned in 1990. She subsequently earned her Joint Professional Military Education from the Air University’s Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base. [1]

Career highlights

Laubacher's first assignment was as an oceanographic watch officer and current operations officer in the Integrated Undersea Surveillance System at Naval Facility Bermuda. She then served as an intelligence collection manager at the Defense Intelligence Agency in Clarendon, Virginia, where she was re-designated as a Navy intelligence officer. Following graduation from Navy and Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center, Dam Neck, Virginia, Laubacher was the imagery collection manager at Joint Analysis Center, Molesworth, United Kingdom. She then served as the Visitor Liaison and Protocol Officer at Headquarters, U.S. Naval Forces Europe.

Laubacher joined the US Navy Reserve in 1998. Since then, she has served in U.S. Space Command, U.S. Strategic Command and U.S. Pacific Command, in billets included MASINT Special Project Branch chief and executive officer.

In 2009, Laubacher served in a Special Operations Joint Task Force in Afghanistan to support Operation Enduring Freedom as the officer in charge of the Operational Coordination Group.

Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Gilday, left, administers the oath of office to Rear Adm. Eileen Laubacher, the U.S. defense attache for the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, during Laubacher's promotion ceremony in 2021. (Photo courtesy of U.S. State Department/Released) Laubacher promoted to rear admiral 211012-N-N0141-1001.jpg
Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Gilday, left, administers the oath of office to Rear Adm. Eileen Laubacher, the U.S. defense attaché for the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, during Laubacher’s promotion ceremony in 2021. (Photo courtesy of U.S. State Department/Released)

Laubacher’s command tours include Navy Reserve (NR) Office of Naval Intelligence 0466, Suitland, Maryland; NR Strategic Command Intelligence, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, where she also served as the director, Joint Reserve Intelligence Support Element Offutt; and Naval Information Force Reserve Region Washington District of Columbia, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.

From 2019 to 2022, Laubacher served as the Senior Defense Official/Defense Attaché to India, based in New Delhi. [7] Upon returning to the United States, she served as a Special Assistant to the President and senior director for South Asia - National Security. [1] [8] [4] [9]

Awards

Laubacher's awards and honors include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal (four awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal (four awards), Navy Achievement Medal (two awards) and various service, expeditionary, unit and campaign awards. [1]

Politics

In May 2025, Laubacher announced that she would seek to represent Colorado's 4th Congressional District in the 2026 election as a Democrat. [10] Laubacher raised $1.9 million in her first 54 days as a candidate, beating the fundraising record previously set by Adam Frisch in 2023. [11] [12]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Rear Admiral Eileen Laubacher, US Navy, updated 2024-12-19, accessed 2025-05-19
  2. Staff, Seapower (2021-04-16). "Flag Officers Newly Nominated as Vice Admirals and Commanders for Three Fleets". Seapower. Retrieved 2025-05-24.
  3. Dhaka, U. S. Embassy (2024-02-24). "U.S. Embassy Welcomes Delegation from U.S. National Security Council, U.S. Department of State, and USAID". U.S. Embassy in Bangladesh. Retrieved 2025-05-24.
  4. 1 2 "US Embassy: Laubacher's visit underscores US commitment to strengthening ties with Bangladesh". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 2025-05-24.
  5. "US President Biden's Special Assistant Laubacher calls on PM Dahal". myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com. 2024-08-08. Retrieved 2025-05-24.
  6. ernest.luning@coloradopolitics.com, Ernest Luning (2025-05-09). "Fields for Colorado's top 2026 statewide, congressional races begin to take shape | TRAIL MIX". Colorado Politics. Retrieved 2025-05-24.
  7. "Celebrating the US National Day in Delhi". The Times of India. 2022-06-13. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 2025-05-24.
  8. AAMER MADHANI and JOSH BOAK (2023-09-08). "Biden meets Modi in India ahead of G20 conference, continue to build ties as China skips summit". The National Desk. Associated Press. Retrieved 2025-05-24.
  9. "Senior US officials are visiting Nepal". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 2025-05-24.
  10. EileenLaubacher, BallotPedia.org, accessed 2025-05-19
  11. EileenForColorado.com, EileenForColorado.com, accessed 2025-07-02
  12. Colorado Politics, Ernest Luning, accessed 2025-07-05