Chrissy Houlahan

Chrissy Houlahan
Born	Christina Marie Jampoler 5 6, 1967
Birthplace	Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, engineer, U.S. Air Force officer (retired)
Title	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
Known for	U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania's 6th congressional district
Children	2
Website	[houlahan.house.gov Official site]

Christina Marie Houlahan (Template:IPAc-en; née Jampoler; born June 5, 1967) is an American politician, engineer, entrepreneur, and former United States Air Force officer serving as the U.S. representative for Pennsylvania's 6th congressional district since January 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, Houlahan represents a district that encompasses nearly all of Chester County, a suburban county west of Philadelphia, as well as the southern portion of Berks County, including the city of Reading. Born on a naval air station to a military family, Houlahan followed her father into the armed forces, rising to the rank of captain in the Air Force Reserve before transitioning into careers in engineering, business, education, and nonprofit work. She first won election to Congress in 2018, defeating Republican Greg McCauley in a race that was part of a broader wave of women candidates seeking office in that cycle. Since taking office, Houlahan has focused on bipartisan legislation, veterans' issues, national security, and community investment in her district.

Early Life

Chrissy Houlahan was born Christina Marie Jampoler on June 5, 1967, at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland. She grew up in a military family; her father, Andrew Jampoler, was a naval aviator and later became an author of books on military and naval history. The family's connection to the military shaped Houlahan's upbringing and would later influence her own decision to serve in the armed forces. Her father also served on the board of directors of the United States Naval Institute.

Growing up in a military household, Houlahan was exposed to the culture of service from an early age. The family moved several times during her childhood, as is common among military families. She developed an interest in science and engineering, disciplines that would define much of her professional career prior to entering politics. Houlahan has spoken publicly about how her upbringing instilled in her a sense of duty and a commitment to public service that eventually led her to both military service and, later, to running for elected office.

Records indicate that Houlahan was an accomplished athlete in her youth. A results listing from the 1984 Waikiki Roughwater Swim shows her participation in the competitive open-water swimming event in Hawaii, suggesting she was an active and competitive swimmer during her teenage years.

Education

Houlahan attended Stanford University, where she studied engineering. She graduated from Stanford in 1989 with a degree in industrial engineering. Her engineering background would prove foundational to her subsequent career in technology and business.

After her undergraduate studies and military service, Houlahan pursued graduate education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she earned a master's degree. She later also studied at Stanford Graduate School of Business, further expanding her business and management expertise. Her combined education in engineering and business prepared her for a career that spanned multiple sectors, from the military to technology startups to education and nonprofit leadership.

Career

Military Service

Following her graduation from Stanford, Houlahan was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force. She served on active duty and eventually attained the rank of captain. During her time in the Air Force, she worked in an engineering capacity, applying the technical skills she had developed during her undergraduate education. After completing her active-duty service, Houlahan continued her affiliation with the military as a member of the Air Force Reserve.

Her military service became a central element of her public identity and political career. Houlahan has frequently cited her time in the Air Force as formative, noting that it reinforced her commitment to service and gave her experience in leadership and problem-solving. She was among a significant number of veterans, particularly women veterans, who ran for Congress in 2018.

Business and Nonprofit Work

After leaving active military service, Houlahan transitioned into the private sector and nonprofit work. She applied her engineering and business education to roles in technology and entrepreneurship. She worked at a startup company, gaining experience in the business world and in the emerging technology sector during the 1990s and 2000s.

Houlahan also became involved in education and nonprofit leadership. She served as the chief operating officer of a nonprofit organization, where she managed operations and worked on community-focused initiatives. Her work in the nonprofit sector further solidified her interest in public service and community engagement, eventually leading her toward a career in politics.

In an interview with Syfy Wire, Houlahan discussed her engineering background and problem-solving abilities, with the interviewer noting that her technical skills and experience meant she "could handle the Millennium Falcon" — a lighthearted reference to her engineering competence.

Entry into Politics

Houlahan entered the political arena in 2017, announcing her candidacy for Pennsylvania's 6th congressional district, then held by Republican incumbent Ryan Costello. Her decision to run was part of a broader movement of women, veterans, and first-time candidates who sought political office in the wake of the 2016 presidential election. A Haaretz profile noted that Houlahan was among several Jewish women inspired to run for office during this period.

Houlahan built her campaign around her military service, her engineering and business background, and her commitment to bipartisan problem-solving. She positioned herself as a pragmatic, solutions-oriented candidate who could appeal to voters across the political spectrum in the suburban Philadelphia district.

2018 Congressional Campaign

In the May 2018 Democratic primary election, Houlahan ran effectively uncontested and secured the nomination for the 6th congressional district. Her campaign gained significant momentum due to strong fundraising. Houlahan raised $860,000 in the second quarter of 2018, a substantial sum that reflected both local and national enthusiasm for her candidacy. Federal Election Commission filings documented her continued fundraising strength throughout the campaign cycle.

Her campaign received endorsements from a number of organizations. The Giffords organization, the gun violence prevention group founded by former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, endorsed Houlahan in May 2018. She was also endorsed by the SEIU Pennsylvania State Council, a major labor union. Project 100, an organization that supported women candidates for Congress, also listed Houlahan as a supported candidate.

Republican incumbent Ryan Costello chose not to seek reelection, and the Republican nomination went to Greg McCauley. In the November 2018 general election, Houlahan defeated McCauley by a significant margin, winning the seat and becoming the first woman to represent Pennsylvania's 6th congressional district. The Daily Local News described her victory as "historic."

Tenure in Congress

Houlahan took office on January 3, 2019, succeeding Republican Ryan Costello. She has been reelected in subsequent cycles and continues to serve as of 2025. In Congress, Houlahan has focused on a range of issues including national security, veterans' affairs, education, healthcare, and economic development in her district.

Houlahan has pursued bipartisan legislation during her time in office. In November 2025, she co-introduced the Biomanufacturing Excellence Act, described as bicameral and bipartisan legislation aimed at strengthening domestic biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

She has also been active in securing federal funding for her district. In 2025, Houlahan announced $12 million in community project funding grants for 14 projects across Chester and Berks Counties, covering organizations and infrastructure needs in the 6th congressional district.

In her annual "State of the Sixth" address in 2025, Houlahan discussed a range of topics including artificial intelligence data centers, ICE funding, and the potential for a federal government shutdown. She stated that "ICE is vastly, vastly overfunded" and criticized the agency's budget as "larger than many" federal agencies, signaling her focus on fiscal accountability and immigration policy reform.

Houlahan has been vocal in her opposition to certain legislative measures. In July 2025, she voted against H.R. 1, which she described as a bill that "rewards the rich, harms the working class." She issued a detailed public statement explaining her opposition to the legislation.

In November 2025, Houlahan made headlines when she interrupted a press conference held by House Speaker Mike Johnson, urging him to take action to prevent a government shutdown. The incident drew attention to her assertive approach to legislative negotiations and her willingness to engage directly with Republican leadership.

In September 2025, Houlahan issued a statement regarding her vote on H.Res.719, a resolution honoring the life of Charles "Charlie" James Kirk. In her statement, she referenced her gay daughter, writing, "I have a gay daughter. According to Charlie Kirk, she and her family should not be afforded the rights and security that he wanted for his..." The statement highlighted Houlahan's personal connection to LGBTQ+ issues and her willingness to speak publicly about her family in the context of legislative debate.

Also in November 2025, Houlahan released a statement in response to an FBI request for interviews with members of Congress, stating that "President Trump is using the FBI as a tool to intimidate and harass Members of" Congress. The statement reflected growing tensions between the executive branch and congressional Democrats during this period.

Security Concerns

In November 2025, Houlahan's district office in West Chester, Pennsylvania, was the target of a bomb threat. A spokesperson for the congresswoman confirmed the threat and noted that it was taken seriously by law enforcement. The incident occurred during a period of heightened political tensions and was one of several threats reported against members of Congress during the 119th Congress.

Personal Life

Houlahan lives in Chester County, Pennsylvania, within the 6th congressional district she represents. She has two children. Her birth name was Christina Marie Jampoler; she took the surname Houlahan through marriage.

Houlahan has spoken publicly about her family, including her daughter who identifies as gay. In a September 2025 congressional statement, she referenced her daughter's sexual orientation in the context of a debate about LGBTQ+ rights and protections, stating her belief that her daughter and her family deserve equal rights and security.

Her father, Andrew Jampoler, had a career as a naval aviator and later became an author. He was nominated as a candidate for the board of directors of the United States Naval Institute in 2012, reflecting the family's deep ties to the U.S. military.

Recognition

Houlahan's 2018 election was described as historic by regional media, as she became the first woman to represent Pennsylvania's 6th congressional district in Congress. Her candidacy was part of a broader national movement of women, veterans, and first-time candidates seeking office in the 2018 midterm elections, a cycle that saw a record number of women elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

She was profiled by multiple national and regional media outlets during her initial campaign and early tenure, including The New York Times, Vox, Philadelphia Magazine, Haaretz, and The Story Exchange, among others. Her background as a veteran, engineer, and businesswoman drew attention as part of the changing profile of congressional candidates.

Her endorsements during the 2018 campaign from organizations including Giffords and the SEIU Pennsylvania State Council reflected recognition from both gun violence prevention advocates and the labor movement of her candidacy and policy positions.