Tulsi Gabbard’s presidential campaign is teasing her return to the trail this week, even though it’s unlikely the Hawaiian congresswoman will make September’s debate stage.
“Tulsi will be touching down tomorrow and ready to hit the campaign trail after two weeks of active duty training with her National Guard unit,” her campaign emailed supporters Tuesday. “We’re a 100% people-powered and PAC-free movement, and Tulsi has been relying on us to keep the campaign going strong in her absence. We have an uphill battle to fight against establishment bias, but with your help, we can continue to demonstrate our undeniable grassroots momentum.”
Tulsi is back from active duty tomorrow. Welcome her back with your support! Let’s get her 1,000 new donors! —> https://t.co/bL42hJAC0d —TeamTulsi #TULSI2020
— Tulsi Gabbard (@TulsiGabbard) August 27, 2019
The threshold to make the September and October Democratic National Committee-sanctioned debates includes 130,000 unique donors and at least 2% support in four polls by Aug. 28 — the day the Democrat, 38, gets back. The Hawaii National Guard major and Iraq War veteran has the requisite contributions, but still needs two more public opinion surveys to qualify for the debate series, which will be hosted by ABC and Univision in Houston on Sept. 12 and Sept. 13.
Gabbard took two weeks off from her campaign for her party’s 2020 nomination to join the Army National Guard for a training exercise in Indonesia.
It’s still unclear what her plans are should she bow out of the presidential race. Hawaii’s “resign-to-run” law means she can’t campaign for both the White House and Congress at the same time. While recent financial disclosure documents show her congressional campaign coffer is in negative figures, she doesn’t have to file for reelection until June next year.
A campaign spokesman didn’t immediately return the Washington Examiner‘s request for clarification.
Gabbard was first elected to Congress in 2012, but faces a primary challenge in Hawaii’s Second District from state Sen. Kai Kahele, 45, who served with the Air National Guard in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Kahele has promised a no-holds-barred fight if Gabbard seeks reelection for the seat.
“I’m running for Congress because Hawaiʻi needs a Representative in Congress who will show up for congressional votes & work on behalf of the constituents of CD2 instead of pandering to war criminals & foreign dictators,” he tweeted, alluding to her meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad and her reticence to denounce his alleged use of chemical weapons against his own people.
