When Henry Kriegel talks about the American Dream, he’s not speaking in platitudes — he’s living proof of it.

Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash

The Deputy State Director for Americans for Prosperity in Montana, Kriegel recently joined the American Potential podcast for a deeply personal conversation about his family’s journey from Holocaust survivors to small business owners in New York, and how that legacy fuels his fight for freedom today. 

“My parents were teenagers when the war broke out,” Kriegel shared. “My mom survived eight labor camps. My dad fought in the Polish resistance. They were the sole survivors of their families.” 

Arriving at Ellis Island after the war, Kriegel’s parents carried little more than grief and grit. They rebuilt their lives in the garment district, eventually starting their own interior design business in Yonkers, New York. It was the classic immigrant story: tough beginnings, relentless work ethic, and unwavering hope for a better future. 

That experience shaped Kriegel, who would go on to study psychology at Columbia University, where a political awakening during Ronald Reagan’s presidency propelled him into activism. His early work included advocating for Afghan refugees during the Soviet invasion — efforts that brought him face to face with President Reagan himself. 

Fast-forward to today, and Kriegel is still on the front lines — this time in the political arena of Montana. One of his proudest achievements? Helping elect Tim Sheehy to the U.S. Senate in what became the most expensive Senate race per capita in American history. 

“We trained our canvassers not just to knock on doors, but to lean into objections,” Kriegel explained. “Politics is war by other means. We fight on the battlefield of ideas — with integrity at the core.” 

That battle paid off. Sheehy won by over eight points, a victory Kriegel calls a crowning achievement in his 30-year career. 

Now, Kriegel is focused on defending liberty at the state level — from tax reform to education freedom — all while mentoring the next generation of advocates to take one small step to expand liberty and freedom. 

“When I think about what my parents went through to survive and give me this opportunity, I well up,” he said. “This work honors their legacy. And I want to make sure future generations have the same chance at the American Dream.” 

From Ellis Island to Capitol Hill — Henry Kriegel’s story is more than just inspiring. It’s a testament to the power of freedom, resilience, and purpose. 

Watch the podcast here: https://youtu.be/U6Dv8koJduo