Krystle Kaul—National Security Expert Running for US Congress VA-10: Answering the Kaul to Service
For nearly twenty years, I’ve devoted my life to protecting this country. I’ve worked on critical US national security in some of the most dangerous places in the world. From the Middle East to South Asia, with the CIA, US Central Command, the US Air Force and the broader Department of Defense, I served proudly under Secretary Austin and Mattis. I was one of the youngest Directors at the Department of Defense (GS-15) holding the highest civilian rank. I have studied and worked on strengthening US-India relations throughout my career. I’ve helped protect this country where the threats are greatest and where the stakes for all of us couldn’t be higher. Why? My profound sense of gratitude.
I was born to Indian immigrants who sacrificed everything they knew in order to pursue a better life here in America. My grandfather came to the US to pursue his American dream and I in return, have chosen to protect the country that gave my family so much.
Growing up as a second-generation Indian American of Kashmiri Hindu Pandit and Punjabi Sikh heritage, I witnessed both the triumphs and struggles of our Indian community. Our diaspora has made remarkable contributions to the story that is the United States, yet we are still extremely underrepresented in key positions of leadership where decisions that affect our community are made with less than 1% of representation given our GDP. Further, we need to have a voice in the decisions that affect the future of our entire country whether we are immigrants or American-born.
Today, I continue my mission of protection and service as the CEO of a successful defense technology company with clients such as Bank of NY Mellon, Intel Corp, McKinsey, Bain and a number of small to medium enterprises. I also teach at MIT remotely through 2U. However, last fall I expanded that mission–I made the decision to run for congress in Virginia’s 10th district. Virginia-10 includes Loudoun County, Manassas, Manassas Park, Fauquier County, Rappahannock County, parts of Fairfax County and Prince William County with a 44% minority district. When I am elected, I will be only the second Indian American woman in Congress, the first ever Kashmiri Pandit elected and the sole Sikh woman in Congress.
However, my entry into this race is driven by more than just expanding our place as Indian Americans in the leadership of this country. It is bigger than that. In my work in national security, I was trained to help see threats as they develop and respond before they put civilians, service members, or governments in danger. And right now, I see a burgeoning threat here at home; I see a country where women’s healthcare rights are under attack. I see national security conflicts around the world where a strong leader needs to stand up and determine how we move forward with these global crises.
A country that is not strong within, cannot be strong externally–as a national security leader–I know this better than most. As the second Indian American woman in Congress, I will fight steadfastly for our community. As a second-generation American I will fight to protect the opportunities that I benefited from and that brought so many of our families here. I will show that America’s strength and resilience are directly intertwined with its diversity. And as a proud member of our Indian diaspora, I will always make you proud. I proudly spoke on climate security at the Climate Action Forum at Indiaspora’s event in Dubai during COP28. I want to see more Indian American representation into Congress and I want to be the first Indian American representative from the East Coast. That is why I am humbly asking for your support in this race where I am the Cash on Hand leader and need to stay in the lead for this open seat!
About the Author
Holding a B.A. in International Relations with a minor in Women in Politics from American University, a M.A. in International Relations from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and a M.A. in Political Science from Brown University with a PhD in progress. She worked at several think tanks, including Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Center for Strategic and International Studies and RAND Corporation. Krystle speaks 9 languages, including Hindi, Urdu, Spanish, Arabic, Italian, Punjabi, Dari and Kashmiri. She has in-country experience in 71 countries. Krystle has participated in 12 policy fellowships and 7 elite international delegations, including India and Israel. She holds a Top Secret/SCI clearance with a polygraph. Support Krystle Kaul with a contribution at www.krystleforcongress.com. She can be reached by e-mail at krystle@krystleforcongress.com or at (202) 531-0940.
