Decision Maker

Mike Gabbard

Hawaii State Senate - District 21

District 21, Hawaii

Mike Gabbard, born Gerald Michael Gabbard, is a Samoan American politician who has been serving as the Hawaii State Senator for District 21 since 2006. He is the first person of Samoan descent to serve in the Hawaii Senate. Initially gaining prominence for his efforts to pass a 1998 amendment to the Constitution of Hawaii to limit marriage to opposite-sex couples, he was involved in significant legislative activities under the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Gabbard has switched political affiliations, having been associated with both the Democratic and Republican parties. He holds a Bachelor's degree in English from Sonoma State University and a Master's degree in Adult Education from Oregon State University. His previous roles include serving as a Councilmember at Honolulu City and County and as a State Senator for District 20.