Eileen Laubacher (born 1968/1969; ) is a retired two-star United States Navy rear admiral who served on the National Security Council under President Joe Biden. She is the Democratic nominee for Colorado's 4th congressional district in 2026, challenging Republican incumbent Lauren Boebert.
Early life and education Laubacher was raised in a Navy family. Her father, Vice Admiral Michael Haskins, served in the United States Navy for 37 years, while her grandfather served as a Navy combat diver during World War II. When Laubacher entered the U.S. Naval Academy, which her father had also attended, he administered her oath as a midshipman.
Laubacher graduated from the Naval Academy in 1990 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.
Military career
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.
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.
Following her promotion to rear admiral in 2018, Laubacher held the post of senior defense official and defense attaché at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India from 2019 to 2022. She then served as special assistant to the president and senior director for South Asia on the National Security Council from 2022 to 2024. She retired from the U.S. Navy in 2024 after 34 years of service.
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.
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.
Personal life Laubacher and her husband, Chris, relocated to Colorado after she left active duty and joined the Navy Reserve. 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, have three grandchildren.
References
External links Official campaign website