Eileen Laubacher

Eileen Laubacher
Laubacher in 2024
Personal details
BornEileen Haskins
1968 or 1969 (age 57–58)
PartyRepublican (before 2025)
Democratic (2025–present)
EducationUnited States Naval Academy (BS)
WebsiteCampaign website
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Navy
RankRear Admiral
Battles/warsWar in Afghanistan

Eileen Laubacher (born 1968/1969; née Haskins)[1] is a retired two-star United States Navy rear admiral[2] who served on the National Security Council under President Joe Biden.[3] She is the Democratic nominee for Colorado's 4th congressional district in 2026, challenging Republican incumbent Lauren Boebert.[4]

Early life and education

Laubacher was raised in a Navy family. Her father, Vice Admiral Michael Haskins,[5] served in the United States Navy for 37 years,[6] while her grandfather served as a Navy combat diver during World War II.[7] When Laubacher entered the U.S. Naval Academy, which her father had also attended, he administered her oath as a midshipman.[5]

Laubacher graduated from the Naval Academy in 1990[6] with a Bachelor of Science degree in political science and was commissioned as a naval officer. She later earned her Joint Professional Military Education from the Air University’s Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base.[8]

Military career

Chief of Naval Operations Mike Gilday administers the oath of office to Laubacher during her 2021 promotion ceremony

After being commissioned in 1990, Laubacher served in an operational role at the U.S. naval facility in Bermuda before moving into intelligence assignments at the Defense Intelligence Agency and the Joint Analysis Center in Molesworth in the United Kingdom. She joined the Navy Reserve in 1998, and during her reserve career served in intelligence and command assignments supporting U.S. Space Command, U.S. Strategic Command, and U.S. Pacific Command.[9]

In 2009, she deployed to Afghanistan during the U.S.-led war against the Taliban in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. She served as the officer in charge of operational coordination with the Afghan National Security Forces and the ministries of defense and interior within a special operations joint task force group.[9]

Following her promotion to rear admiral in 2018,[10][8] Laubacher held the post of senior defense official and defense attaché at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India from 2019 to 2022.[11] She then served as special assistant to the president and senior director for South Asia on the National Security Council from 2022 to 2024.[12][13][14] She retired from the U.S. Navy in 2024 after 34 years of service.[15]

2026 US House of Representatives campaign

In May 2025, Laubacher announced that she would seek to represent Colorado's 4th congressional district in the 2026 election as a Democrat. Laubacher raised $1.9 million in her first 54 days as a candidate, beating the fundraising record previously set by Adam Frisch in 2023.[16][17]

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.[8]

Personal life

Laubacher and her husband, Chris, relocated to Colorado after she left active duty and joined the Navy Reserve.[18] Their five children were mostly homeschooled by Eileen, but at least some also attended public high school. Eileen and Chris, who reside in Highlands Ranch, Colorado,[15] have three grandchildren.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Sanchez, Robert (June 23, 2026). "1-minute voter guide: Democratic race for 4th Congressional District". Axios. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
  2. ↑ Staff (April 16, 2021). "Flag Officers Newly Nominated as Vice Admirals and Commanders for Three Fleets". seapowermagazine.org. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  3. ↑ "US President Biden's Special Assistant Laubacher calls on PM Dahal". Republica. Nepal Republic Media Limited. December 6, 2023. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  4. ↑ Luning, Ernest (May 9, 2025). "Fields for Colorado's top 2026 statewide, congressional races begin to take shape". Colorado Politics. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  5. 1 2 "5 Minutes With Admiral Michael Haskins '66 USN (RET.) Rear Admiral Eileen Laubscher '90, USNR". United States Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation. Retrieved September 17, 2025 – via mydigitalpublication.com.
  6. 1 2 3 "Meet Rear Admiral (Ret.) Eileen Laubacher". EileenForColorado.com. Eileen for Colorado. 2025. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Eileen Laubacher". VoteVets. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 "Rear Admiral Eileen Laubacher". navy.mil. US Navy. December 19, 2024. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
  9. 1 2 "Rear Admiral Eileen Laubacher: Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for South Asia, National Security Council". America's Navy. November 24, 2025. Archived from the original on May 21, 2026. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Rear Admiral Eileen Laubacher: Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for South Asia, National Security Council". America's Navy. November 24, 2025. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Celebrating the US National Day in Delhi". The Times of India. June 13, 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  12. ↑ Cameron, Chris (June 22, 2023). "The Full Guest List for Biden's State Dinner With Modi". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Senior US officials are visiting Nepal". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  14. ↑ "U.S. Embassy Welcomes Delegation from U.S. National Security Council, U.S. Department of State, and USAID". usembassy.gov. US Embassy, Bangladesh. February 24, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  15. 1 2 Jones, Callie (August 17, 2025). "2026 candidates speak to Logan County Democrats". Sterling Journal-Advocate; journal-advocate.com. Archived from the original on August 17, 2025. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  16. ↑ "Rear Admiral (Ret.) Eileen Laubacher Stuns Lauren Boebert with $1.9M Raised in Just 54 Days for CO-04". EileenForColorado.com (Press release). Highlands Ranch, Colorado: Eileen for Colorado. July 2, 2025. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  17. ↑ Luning, Ernest (July 2, 2025). "Boebert challenger Eileen Laubacher, a retired rear admiral, rakes in $1.9 million in her 1st quarter". Colorado Politics. Archived from the original on July 25, 2025. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  18. ↑ "Eileen Laubacher". votevets.org. 2025. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
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