Kamala Harris

Kamala Devi Harris (born October 20, 1964) is an American politician and attorney who has served as the 49th vice president of the United States since 2021. In 2024, she became the Democratic presidential nominee following Joe Biden's withdrawal from the race. Harris is the first female, first African American, and first Asian American vice president of the United States.

Early Life and Education

Born in Oakland, California, Harris is the daughter of immigrant parents: Shyamala Gopalan, a biologist from India, and Donald J. Harris, an economist from Jamaica. After her parents' divorce when she was seven, Harris lived primarily with her mother, spending weekends with her father. She attended Howard University, graduating in 1986 with a degree in political science and economics, and earned her Juris Doctor from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 1989.

Legal Career

Harris began her career as a deputy district attorney in Alameda County in 1990. In 2003, she was elected District Attorney of San Francisco, becoming the first person of color to hold that position. During her tenure, she established a Hate Crimes Unit and created programs to reduce recidivism. In 2010, Harris was elected Attorney General of California, making history as the first woman, African American, and South Asian American to serve in this role. She held this position until 2017, focusing on consumer protection, privacy rights, and criminal justice reform.

U.S. Senate (2017-2021)

In 2016, Harris won election to the United States Senate, becoming the second Black woman and first South Asian American senator in history. As senator, she gained national attention for her pointed questioning during Senate hearings, particularly of Trump administration officials. She served on several key committees, including the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Select Committee on Intelligence.

Vice Presidency (2021-present)

As vice president, Harris has played a crucial role in the evenly divided Senate, casting a record number of tie-breaking votes. She has led the administration's efforts on immigration policy, particularly focusing on addressing root causes of migration from Central America. In foreign policy, Harris has been instrumental in maintaining international relationships, including diplomatic missions related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and U.S.-France relations.

2024 Presidential Campaign

Following President Biden's withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race in July, Harris became the Democratic Party's presumptive nominee. She selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate and secured numerous high-profile endorsements. If elected, Harris would become the first female and Asian-American president, and the second African-American president after Barack Obama.

Personal Life

Harris married attorney Doug Emhoff in 2014 and is stepmother to his two children. She is a Baptist and member of the Third Baptist Church of San Francisco. Her sister Maya Harris is a lawyer and political analyst, and her brother-in-law Tony West serves as general counsel of Uber. As of 2024, Harris and Emhoff's estimated net worth was $8 million.

Political Positions

Harris supports national abortion protections, LGBTQ+ rights, and stricter gun control measures. On foreign policy, she advocates for continued military aid to Ukraine and Israel while pushing for a ceasefire in Gaza and progress toward a two-state solution. Her economic platform has been characterized as populist, showing some divergence from Biden administration policies.

Legacy and Public Image

As vice president, Harris initially faced low approval ratings and high staff turnover. However, her public image improved significantly after becoming the presumptive Democratic nominee in 2024. She has become known for her distinctive laugh and speaking style, which have generated both media attention and memes. Harris has authored three books, including her memoir "The Truths We Hold: An American Journey" (2019).