Chris Harnisch, a native of northern Virginia, has dedicated his life to preserving the freedoms we cherish in the United States. As a young child in northern Virginia public schools in the 90s, he learned about America’s founding principles and the individual freedoms guaranteed to every citizen that makes this country exceptional. He knew from that young age he would commit himself to doing whatever it takes to keep us free.
Following 9/11, with our freedom and security under attack, Chris decided to pursue a life in public service. He ultimately joined the Army and served for 14 months in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. When he returned home from Afghanistan, he earned two graduate degrees from Yale University, paying for them with his post-9/11 GI Bill and the money he saved on deployment.
Chris then worked as a business manager for Apple until he was mobilized as an Army Reserve officer and detailed to the National Security Council (NSC). At the NSC, Chris led federal government efforts on a range of issues, from combating human trafficking to countering terrorism. As a result of his work at the NSC, Chris was appointed as a top counterterrorism official for the State Department. In that capacity, he supported efforts that led to the demise of the ISIS caliphate and spearheaded initiatives to combat global white supremacist terrorism, leading to the first-ever terrorist designation of a white supremacist group in US history. Chris also led efforts to rescue American children from Syria who had been trafficked there by terrorists. Throughout all of this, he was guided by his unflinching belief in freedom and security for every American.
After Chris left the State Department, he harnessed the skills he developed working at Apple and began advising organizations on tech innovation and adoption. He remains a drilling Army Reserve officer today. Chris resides in Sterling, Virginia with his wife Natasha, whose parents immigrated to the United States from India in pursuit of the American dream. Chris knows that despite being threatened from many different angles, America remains an exceptional place and the American dream and way of life are worth fighting for – for his own son, for all Virginians, and for all Americans.
The use of Chris' military rank, job titles, and photographs in uniform does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Army or the Department of Defense.
paid for by HARNISCH FOR VIRGINIA