Meet Amy
Amy Papanu is a former CIA Operations Officer and lifelong public servant who is running for Congress to fight against the extreme attacks on the federal workforce and agencies that make our country strong. As a mother and spouse of a combat veteran, Amy will protect Northern Virginia families and ensure our national security and economic security.
She was born into a middle-class family — her dad was a union electrician, and her stay-at-home mom had a small business craft shop. Growing up, Amy loved playing cops and robbers — even then, she knew she wanted to spend her life standing up for what’s right.
After college, Amy joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), where she conducted counterterrorism surveillance operations across the Northeast. Her time at the FBI laid the foundation for a career rooted in service, integrity, and sacrifice.
Soon after, she became a Foreign Service Officer at the U.S. Department of State, deploying on classified missions to some of the most dangerous regions in the world in the wake of 9/11. She was among the first officers posted to the newly re-opened U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan in 2002. After the invasion of Iraq, Amy served in Baghdad, where she worked on counterterrorism strategy and supported high-stakes hostage operations.
In 2008, Amy joined the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and served for over 16 years — living and working in the Middle East, Africa, and Washington, D.C. As a CIA Operations Officer, she served as a Chief of Station, led covert action programs, oversaw teams of officers, and partnered with U.S. allies to dismantle terrorist networks, disrupt drug traffickers, and counter rogue regimes. She also worked closely with Congress to pass vital national security legislation.
Amy had first-hand experience working in Congress when she served as a congressional fellow for the Assistant Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2022, following the breaking developments of the Russia-Ukraine war and working on foreign and health policy issues. Meeting with constituents was the most rewarding part of her experience which influenced her decision to run for Congress.
After spending her career confronting authoritarianism and extremism abroad, Amy watches with outrage as President Trump destabilizes America from within — attacking democratic norms, embracing the very strongmen she once worked to neutralize, and gutting the federal workforce through chaotic budget cuts. She’s stepping up to serve again — this time, in Congress.
In Washington, Amy will fight to protect Social Security and Medicare, strengthen the middle class, defend reproductive rights, protect small businesses, and stop gun violence. She’ll stand up to Trump’s corruption and push back against reckless economic policies like his damaging tariffs.
Amy lives in Fairfax with her husband Brian, a former federal agent and combat veteran, their two sons Jack and Calvin who attend Fairfax County Public Schools, and their dog Clover. She currently volunteers as an At-Large Commissioner on the Fairfax County Small Business Commission, is a member of her PTA, and volunteers in the community.