Alexander Vindman is a 50-year-old retired Army Lieutenant Colonel and former National Security Council official who became a national figure during President Trump's first impeachment in 2019 as a key witness testifying about the Ukraine call. Born in Kyiv, Ukraine, Vindman came to the United States as a refugee at age three when his family fled Soviet persecution. He served 21 years in the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, serving in combat roles in Iraq (where he was wounded and awarded a Purple Heart) and later as Director of European Affairs for the National Security Council. After being removed from the NSC in February 2020 following Trump's acquittal, Vindman eventually left the Army and has since worked as a national security commentator and advisor helping veterans run for office. He moved to Broward County, Florida in 2023 with his wife Rachel and their family. Vindman announced his Senate campaign on January 27, 2026, with a record-breaking $1.7 million raised in the first 24 hours.
Alexander Vindman was born in Kyiv, Ukraine in 1975 and immigrated to the United States at age three when his family fled Soviet persecution, settling in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from the State University of New York and later earned a law degree. After the September 11 attacks, Vindman joined the U.S. Army, serving 21 years as an infantry officer and later as a National Security Council expert on Ukraine. He was wounded in combat in Iraq and awarded the Purple Heart. In 2019, as Director of European Affairs for the NSC, Vindman listened to the Trump-Zelensky call and reported his concerns through proper channels, ultimately testifying before Congress during Trump's first impeachment. Following Trump's acquittal and his removal from the NSC, Vindman continued to face retaliation and eventually left the Army. He has since served as a national security commentator and board member of VoteVets, helping veterans run for office. In 2023, he relocated his family to Broward County, Florida where he has been working to build a political presence. His twin brother Eugene Vindman was elected to Congress in Virginia in 2024.