Sarah Zabel graduated from the Air Force Academy with a degree in computer science and spent over three decades in the Air Force, culminating in leadership roles in communications, global infrastructure, and cyberspace operations. She commanded at multiple levels and served on the Air Force and Department of Defense staffs, earning a Bronze Star during her service in Qatar. After retiring from the Air Force, Zabel authored a book on depression and joined the RAND Corporation as an Adjunct before running for Congress. Her professional background and academic pursuits establish a foundation in complex systems, risk management, and public policy.

Sarah Zabel’s political philosophy centers on a nuanced view of inequality, where she sees differences as catalysts for progress, but also warns against extreme wealth concentration. She champions equity over equality, advocating for a system where hard work and contribution yield fair value, rather than identical outcomes for all. Zabel’s approach to competition versus redistribution is marked by a commitment to honest rules and fair opportunity, with a government role that protects against predatory power but refrains from controlling markets. Her rhetorical style is both intellectually rigorous and grounded in personal experience, as evidenced by her research and writings on depression. This combination of conceptual tensions and unexpected policy combinations invites deeper inquiry into how she reconciles these seemingly disparate ideas.