Eleanor Finch
Kamala Harris is a politician with a barrier-breaking career, having served as District Attorney of San Francisco, Attorney General of California, United States Senator, and Vice President of the United States. Harris' recent activities include her 2024 presidential campaign and her plans to run for governor of California in 2026. Harris' 2024 presidential campaign faced challenges, and she ultimately lost the election to Republican candidate Donald Trump. However, she is now gearing up for California's top job, networking at high-profile events and reconnecting with key players in Hollywood and politics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Political Career | District Attorney of San Francisco, Attorney General of California, United States Senator, Vice President of the United States |
| 2024 Presidential Campaign | Lost the election to Donald Trump |
| 2025 Plans | Considering a run for governor of California, mulling a 2028 presidential run |
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What You'll Learn
Kamala Harris's 2024 presidential run
Kamala Harris' 2024 presidential run was a highly anticipated event, with many expecting her to be a strong contender for the position. Harris had a strong team supporting her, including top talent from the Obama operation, and endorsements from Bill and Hillary Clinton. However, her campaign faced several challenges, including staff turnover and the need to navigate a political minefield without appearing to be plotting against then-President Biden.
In the final weeks of the election cycle, veteran Democratic strategist James Carville expressed confidence in Harris' chances, citing her financial resources, ground game, and endorsements from two former presidents. However, Harris' campaign struggled to gain traction, and she faced criticism for her inability to articulate a clear vision for her presidency, separate from Biden's agenda.
Despite the challenges, Harris' team was hard at work behind the scenes, activating a formidable political machine. They navigated the complex transition from being the vice president on the ticket to taking the lead, a move that could have been politically fraught. Harris' chief of staff, Lorraine Voles, played a crucial role in contingency planning, ensuring a swift shift into action once Biden confirmed his decision to step aside and endorse her.
Ultimately, Harris' 2024 presidential run ended in defeat, with Trump completing the greatest comeback in American political history. The loss prompted reflections on the Democrats' disconnect with voters and the need to offer a compelling reason for people to vote for their candidates. Harris' campaign chair, Jen O'Malley Dillon, played a pivotal role in delivering the bad news, and the race concluded without a declaration of victory for Harris.
While Harris' 2024 bid for the presidency was unsuccessful, early polls for a potential 2028 run show her dominating a field of potential Democratic rivals. However, commentators emphasize the need for her to improve as a candidate and provide a clear reason for voters to choose her.
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Harris's vice presidency
Kamala Harris's vice presidency began in 2021, after she and Joe Biden defeated the incumbent president and vice president, Donald Trump and Mike Pence, in the 2020 presidential election. Harris, who was born in Oakland, California, in 1964, became the first woman, first African American, and first Asian American to hold the office of vice president.
Harris's path to the vice presidency began in 2019 when she sought the Democratic presidential nomination. However, she withdrew from the race before the primaries. Despite this, Biden selected her as his running mate, and their ticket ultimately emerged victorious. During her time as vice president, Harris presided over an evenly split U.S. Senate, casting a record 33 tie-breaking votes to pass significant legislation such as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and the Inflation Reduction Act.
Harris also played an active role in foreign policy, taking a stand against authoritarians and dictarians abroad while strengthening NATO. She worked on bipartisan bills, including a bail reform bill with Rand Paul, an election security bill with James Lankford, and a workplace harassment bill with Lisa Murkowski. Additionally, Harris led the fight to bring down healthcare costs, casting the deciding vote to lower drug prices and cap insulin prices for seniors. She also oversaw the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, addressing the epidemic of gun violence in the nation.
In July 2024, after Biden withdrew his candidacy from the 2024 presidential election, Harris launched her own presidential campaign with his endorsement. She became the Democratic nominee and selected Minnesota governor Tim Walz as her running mate. However, she ultimately lost the election to the Republican nominees, former president Trump and Ohio senator JD Vance.
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Her plans to run for governor of California in 2026
Kamala Harris, the former US vice president, is considering a run for governor of California in 2026. Harris has given herself until the end of the summer to make a final decision. Her entry into the race would likely force other candidates out due to her advantages in fundraising and name recognition.
Harris has been weighing up a gubernatorial campaign in her home state as a way to remain in politics following her defeat in the 2024 presidential election. The incumbent governor, Gavin Newsom, is term-limited in 2026, leaving the party's nomination for the governor's candidacy up for grabs. Harris's potential candidacy has received support from current California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who has said that her entry into the race would have a "field-clearing effect" on the Democratic side.
A poll conducted by UC Berkeley and the Los Angeles Times in October 2024 showed Harris with a substantial advantage over other candidates for the 2026 California gubernatorial race. According to the poll, about 72% of Democrats said they would be very likely or somewhat likely to support Harris, compared to 8% of Republicans and 38% of voters with no party preference. However, some believe that Harris's "baggage" could hurt her chances, with one source stating that it would take "hundreds of millions of dollars" to educate voters about how "terrible" she is.
Harris's potential candidacy in the 2026 California gubernatorial race has attracted attention and speculation, with many wondering if she will decide to run and what impact her entry into the race would have.
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Her time as District Attorney of San Francisco
Kamala Harris was elected District Attorney of San Francisco in 2003. She was the first person of colour and the first woman to hold the office. Harris was also the first African American and South Asian American woman in California to become a district attorney.
Harris began her law career in the office of the district attorney of Alameda County, California, in 1990. Here, she was described as "an able prosecutor on the way up". In 1998, Harris was recruited to the San Francisco District Attorney's Office as an assistant district attorney. She was named managing attorney of the Career Criminal Unit, where she prosecuted three-strike cases and serial felony offenders. Harris also supervised five other attorneys and prosecuted homicide, burglary, robbery, and sexual assault cases.
In 2000, Harris took a job at San Francisco City Hall, working for city attorney Louise Renne. She ran the Family and Children's Services Division, representing child abuse and neglect cases. Two years later, she ran for district attorney of San Francisco, differentiating herself from the incumbent by attacking his performance. Harris won the election with 56% of the vote.
During her time as district attorney, Harris pushed for higher bail for criminal defendants involved in gun-related crimes, arguing that the historically low bail encouraged outsiders to commit crimes in San Francisco. She also created a Hate Crimes Unit, focusing on hate crimes against LGBT children and teens in schools. Additionally, Harris supported the Gwen Araujo Justice for Victims Act and created an environmental crimes unit in 2005.
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Her time as Attorney General of California
Kamala Harris, the 32nd Attorney General of California, served from 2011 to 2017. She was the first woman, the first African American, and the first South Asian American to hold the office. Harris's tenure was marked by significant efforts in consumer protection, criminal justice reform, and privacy rights.
In 2006, Harris led a citywide effort to combat truancy for at-risk elementary school youth in San Francisco. She declared chronic truancy a matter of public safety, pointing out that the majority of prison inmates and homicide victims are dropouts or habitual truants. By 2009, the number of elementary school students who were habitual truants had decreased by 23% compared to 2008.
Harris also focused on consumer protection during her second term, recovering billions for California consumers by securing major settlements against corporations like Quest Diagnostics, JPMorgan Chase, and Corinthian Colleges. Her office took on other cases as well, including prosecuting child sexual assault, homicide, and robbery cases.
Prior to her role as Attorney General, Harris served as a deputy district attorney in Alameda County, California, from 1990 to 1994. She specialized in prosecuting child sexual assault cases and was described as "an able prosecutor on the way up." In 1994, she was appointed to the state Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board and later to the California Medical Assistance Commission. From 2004 to 2010, she served as the District Attorney of San Francisco, where she continued her work on criminal justice initiatives.
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Frequently asked questions
Kamala Harris lost the 2024 US Presidential election to Republican candidate Donald Trump.
Kamala Harris has served as District Attorney of San Francisco, Attorney General of California, United States Senator, and Vice President of the United States.
Kamala Harris is reportedly planning to run for governor of California in 2026. She has been networking at high-profile events in Los Angeles, reconnecting with key players in Hollywood and politics.
When Harris's campaign chair, Jen O'Malley Dillon, told her that they were down in the blue wall states and wouldn't be able to make it up, Harris exclaimed, "Oh, my God. What is going to happen to this country?"
