President Biden publicly endorsed kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee in July 2024 after announcing that he would not seek a second term. The announcement put to rest all speculations.
Kamala Harris created history by becoming the 49th vice president of the United States under the presidency of Joe Biden.
She holds the distinction of being the first female vice president, as well as the first black person and the first Asian American to hold the position.
Prior to her vice presidency, Harris represented California in the U.S. Senate from 2017 to 2021 and served as the state’s attorney general from 2011 to 2017.
Furthermore, Before the role of Vice President, Harris built a notable record of public service includes:
Serving as a U.S. Senator from California (2017-2021), holding the position of Attorney General of California (2011-2017), and acting as District Attorney of San Francisco (2004-2011)
Kamla Harris’s Indian Connection
Kamla Harris was born in Oakland, California, on October 20, 1964, into a family of distinguished academicianer mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was a Tamil Indian biologist, while her father, Donald J. Harris, is a Jamaican American economist.
Her father, a Jamaican native, was a professor at Stanford University, and her mother, the daughter of an Indian diplomat, worked as a cancer researcher.
Her younger sister, Maya, later pursued a career as a public policy advocate.
Harris’s Early Life and Education
Harris went on to study political science and economics at Howard University, graduating with a B.A. in 1986, before obtaining a law degree from Hastings College in 1989.
Harris didn’t stop yet; her journey was about to start.
She delivered a remarkable speech at the 2012 Democratic National Convention, which boosted her national recognition.
After two years, she married attorney Douglas Emhoff. With her reputation as a promising figure in the party, she was urged to pursue the U.S. seat left vacant by Barbara Boxer, an American politician, lobbyist, and former reporter who served in the United States Senate representing California.
Harris’s Candidacy and Campaigns
In early 2015, Harris announced her candidacy, championing immigration and criminal justice reforms, a raised minimum wage and women’s reproductive rights throughout her campaign. She secured a comfortable victory in the 2016 election.
Harris took her position as the first Indian American and the second black woman in the senate in January 2017. She served in the Select Committee on Intelligence and the Judiciary Committee, showcasing her prosectorial questioning technique during hearings, which occasionally drew criticism and disruptions from Republican senators.
Particularly, her questioning of U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions in June 2017, concerning alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, garnered considerable attention. She also wrote a book named ‘The Truths We Hold: An American Journey’ that was published and released in January 2019.
Harris’s Biding Democratic presidential nomination
Following this, Harris declared her bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020. Initially considered a top contender, she made headlines during her heated debate with candidate Joe Biden on issues like school busing and race.
Despite an early surge in support, her campaign faced challenges by September 2019, resulting in her withdrawal in December.
Harris remained actively involved in advocating for social justice reform, especially after the passing of George Floyd in May 2020.
As the Vice President alongside President Biden, Harris tracked critical issues such as migration at the southern border, voting rights, and abortion.
After the 2022 Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, she became a vocal supporter of women’s healthcare rights, particularly concerning abortion.
Harris Commitments and Risk of Re-electing Trump
This commitment carried over into the 2024 election campaign, where she strongly cautioned against the risks of re-electing Trump, emphasizing the threat to women’s access to abortion care.
Serving as the Senate President, Harris reached a historic milestone by casting numerous tie-breaking votes, surpassing a longstanding record.
When President Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential race and endorsed Harris, she humbly acknowledged his exceptional leadership as the President and his years of devoted service to the nation. Expressing gratitude for his support, Harris affirmed her dedication to earning and securing the nomination.
Mallika Sadhu is a journalist committed to revealing the raw, unfiltered truth. Mallika's work is grounded in a dedication to transparency and integrity, aiming to present clear and impactful stories that matter. Through comprehensive reporting and honest storytelling, she strives to contribute to provide narratives that genuinely inform and engage. When not dwelling in the world of journalism, she is immersed in the colors of her canvas and pages of her journal.
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