Isabella Carter
Kamala Harris is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party. She served as the junior senator from California from 2017 to 2021 and was the second African-American woman and first South Asian-American senator in history. Harris has also served as the District Attorney of San Francisco and Attorney General of California. In 2020, she was selected as Joe Biden's running mate and became the first Black woman and the first Asian-American to run for vice president on a major party ticket. Harris and Biden won the 2020 election, defeating incumbent president Donald Trump and vice president Mike Pence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Political Party | Democrat |
| 2024 Presidential Candidate | Yes |
| 2020 Vice-Presidential Candidate | Yes |
| 2020 Presidential Candidate | Yes |
| US Vice President | Yes |
| US Senator | Yes |
| California Attorney General | Yes |
| San Francisco District Attorney | Yes |
| Political Positions | Critic of the Trump administration's treatment of immigrants, especially pregnant women; Believes the immigration system is "broken"; Supported the Dreamer Confidentiality Act; Supported the Home Ownership Dreamers Act; Supported the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act; Supported the Border and Port Security Act |
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What You'll Learn
Kamala Harris's 2024 presidential campaign
Kamala Harris, the former vice president of the United States, launched her 2024 presidential campaign on July 21, 2024, the same day incumbent President Joe Biden withdrew his bid for reelection and endorsed her. Harris became the presumptive nominee of the Democratic Party on August 5, 2024, following a virtual roll call vote. She selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate.
Harris's campaign platform included support for national abortion protections, LGBTQ+ rights, stricter gun control, and legislation to address climate change. She also advocated for federal cannabis legalization, strengthening voting rights, strengthening the Affordable Care Act, and federal funding of housing. Notably, Harris took a stance on immigration, declaring the system "broken" and advocating for stricter asylum rules.
Harris's campaign utilized various strategies to appeal to younger voters, such as reposting memes and changing its banner to imitate album cover art. It also employed deceptive editing techniques in videos of her opponents, Donald Trump and JD Vance, which sparked controversy and fact-checking efforts. The campaign faced opposition from some Arab Americans due to her stance on the Israel-Hamas war and the 2024 Israeli invasion of Lebanon.
Despite leading in early polls, the race tightened towards the end of October, with national polls indicating a tie between Harris and Trump in the popular vote. Ultimately, Harris lost the election to the Republican nominees, former President Trump and Ohio Senator JD Vance.
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Harris's stance on immigration
Kamala Harris is a Democrat. She was the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee and the first Black woman to serve as vice president under Joe Biden. Harris's stance on immigration has evolved over time, shifting from progressive views to a greater emphasis on enforcement. During her 2024 presidential campaign, Harris outlined a plan to further crack down on asylum claims and extend restrictions on asylum access. She supported a bipartisan security bill that aimed to increase funding for border agents and expand detention facilities. Harris's approach to immigration blends a firm stance on border security with humanitarian reforms. She has endorsed comprehensive immigration reform, seeking pathways to citizenship for immigrants without legal status, particularly those who arrived as children.
Harris has been critical of former President Trump's zero-tolerance policies, which included separating families at the border and prioritizing deterrence. She aims to balance security with legal pathways for undocumented immigrants, addressing the root causes of migration from Central America. During her time as vice president, Harris worked with Mexican and Guatemalan leaders to improve conditions in those countries, recognizing the value of immigrants' contributions.
Harris's evolving stance on immigration has not been without criticism. Some argue that she has moved away from more progressive immigration reforms promised by President Biden, focusing instead on aggressive legal enforcement. However, her shifting position may also be a strategic move to gain support from American voters concerned about illegal immigration.
As a former Attorney General of California, Harris dealt with international border issues, including drug cartels and human trafficking. She worked to maintain border security while also supporting more progressive policies, such as refusing to seek the death penalty. Harris's own experience as the child of immigrants has likely influenced her approach to immigration policy.
Overall, Harris's stance on immigration emphasizes both enforcement and humanitarian reforms. She seeks to secure the border while also providing legal pathways and addressing the root causes of migration. As a potential president, Harris has the opportunity to reshape immigration policy and deliver on her campaign promises of creating clear pathways to citizenship.
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Her career as a prosecutor
Kamala Harris is a member of the Democratic Party and has held several political offices, including Vice President of the United States from 2021 to 2025. Harris began her career as a prosecutor, serving as a deputy district attorney in Alameda County, California, from 1990 to 1994. During this time, she was described as "an able prosecutor on the way up."
In 1994, Harris was appointed to the state Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board and the California Medical Assistance Commission by Willie Brown, the Speaker of the California Assembly and her then-partner. This marked the beginning of her rise through the political ranks. She went on to become the District Attorney of San Francisco, a position she held until 2011. As the District Attorney, Harris styled herself as California's "top cop," advocating for a tough stance on crime. She refused to seek the death penalty, even in cases where police officers were killed, which angered some in law enforcement.
Harris's career as a prosecutor has been scrutinized, particularly her role as California Attorney General and her involvement in the Kevin Cooper case. Cooper, a Black man, was convicted of murdering four white people in 1983 and sentenced to death. Despite maintaining his innocence and receiving support from prominent figures, including Democratic California Senator Dianne Feinstein, Cooper remains on death row. Harris has denied any wrongdoing in the case.
In 2009, Harris published a book titled "Smart on Crime," detailing her experience as a California prosecutor. By the time she ran for president in 2019, her rhetoric had shifted, and she proposed progressive policies such as ending the death penalty, mandatory minimum sentences, and cash bail. However, her record as a prosecutor continued to be a topic of discussion during her campaigns, with critics questioning her commitment to progressive values.
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Her role as Vice President
Kamala Harris was sworn in as the 49th Vice President of the United States on January 20, 2021. She is the first woman, the first Black American, and the first South Asian American to be elected to this position. Harris has always been a fighter for the people, and this was reflected in her role as Vice President.
Harris played a pivotal role in the Biden administration, owing to her tie-breaking vote in the evenly divided Senate. She cast 33 tie-breaking votes, more than any other vice president in history, to pass significant legislation such as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and the Inflation Reduction Act. She also served as acting president for a brief period when Biden underwent a medical procedure, becoming the first woman and the third person to assume the duties of the presidency in this capacity.
As Vice President, Harris focused on advancing opportunities, delivering for families, and protecting fundamental freedoms. She led the fight for women's reproductive rights, the freedom to live safe from gun violence, voting rights, and access to clean water and air. She also prioritized job creation through investments in small businesses and community banks. Additionally, she championed legislation to fight hunger, provide rent relief, improve maternal healthcare, and address the climate crisis.
Harris brought her experience as a prosecutor and attorney general to bear in her role as Vice President. She established an environmental justice unit and created a program to help first-time drug offenders earn a high school degree and find employment, which was recognized as a national model of innovation by the U.S. Department of Justice. Harris's vice presidency was marked by her commitment to building strong coalitions and fighting for the rights and freedoms of all people, continuing the legacy of her parents' activism in the civil rights movement.
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Her parents' influence
Kamala Harris is a member of the Democratic Party. She was the party's nominee in the 2024 presidential election.
Shyamala Gopalan Harris and Donald J. Harris, Kamala Harris's parents, came to the United States from India and Jamaica, respectively, to pursue their dreams. They met in 1962 while attending a study group for Black students at the University of California, Berkeley, and their connection was instant. Both were passionate about civil rights, and they participated in marches and protests together.
Shyamala Gopalan was a biologist who specialized in endocrinology and pursued a research career that advanced breast cancer research. She was the most influential person in Kamala's life, and her dedication to her career and pursuit of higher education likely inspired Kamala's own professional trajectory.
Donald J. Harris, an economist, was the first Black scholar to be granted tenure at Stanford University's economics department. He and Shyamala divorced when Kamala was seven years old, and Kamala lived with her mother during the week, spending weekends at her father's house. Despite the divorce, Donald's academic achievements and commitment to civil rights likely had a significant impact on Kamala's life and career choices.
Kamala's mother, Shyamala, passed away in 2009 from colon cancer, but her influence on Kamala's life and career remained evident. After being elected vice president in 2020, Kamala gave a victory speech in which she thanked her mother, crediting Shyamala with her success. She acknowledged her mother's belief in the possibilities that America offered, saying, "When she came here from India at the age of 19, she maybe didn't quite imagine this moment, but she believed so deeply in an America where a moment like this is possible."
Kamala's parents' diverse cultural backgrounds and their shared commitment to civil rights and social justice likely played a pivotal role in shaping Kamala's worldview and political ideology, influencing her decision to join the Democratic Party and fight for progressive causes.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Kamala Harris is a member of the Democratic Party.
Harris served as the District Attorney of San Francisco and Attorney General of California before being elected as a United States Senator for California in 2017. She was the second African-American woman and the first South Asian-American senator in history.
Yes, Kamala Harris was the Democratic nominee for the 2024 United States presidential election. She lost to the Republican nominees, former president Trump and Ohio senator JD Vance.
Kamala Harris selected Minnesota governor Tim Walz as her running mate for the 2024 election.
Kamala Harris ran against Joe Biden, among others, in the 2020 Democratic primaries. Biden eventually chose her as his running mate for the 2020 presidential election.
