David Evan McMullin, born on April 2, 1976, is an American politician, conservative commentator, and former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operations officer known for his anti-Trump stance and advocacy for principled Republicanism. He gained national prominence as an independent presidential candidate in the 2016 U.S. election, positioning himself as a conservative alternative to Donald Trump under the 'Never Trump' banner. McMullin, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, emphasized national security, fiscal responsibility, and constitutional principles in his campaign, which garnered support from some Republicans disillusioned with the major party nominees. His running mate was Mindy Robinson, and while he did not win any states, he received about 0.7% of the national popular vote and a significant share in Utah. McMullin was endorsed by conservative commentators like Jennifer Rubin.

Prior to his political ambitions, McMullin had a distinguished career in intelligence and policy, known for his national security expertise. He joined the CIA in 1999 as an operations officer, serving in the Middle East and Afghanistan, where he contributed to counterterrorism efforts following the September 11 attacks. After leaving the CIA, he worked as a policy advisor on the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs and later as chief policy director for the House Republican Conference under Speaker John Boehner. In 2022, McMullin re-entered politics by running as an independent for the U.S. Senate seat in Utah, challenging incumbent Mike Lee; he finished second with 28.5% of the vote but did not advance to the general election.

McMullin's background reflects a deep commitment to public service and conservative values, shaped by his Mormon faith and experiences abroad. He has been involved in national security advocacy post-politics, including through organizations focused on democracy and foreign policy. His campaigns highlighted his expertise in international affairs, drawing from his education in international politics and diplomacy at Brigham Young University.