Simone Lawson
Kamala Harris, the first woman, Black American, and South Asian American Vice President of the United States, was the Democratic presidential nominee for the 2024 election. She announced her campaign for president on July 21, 2024, and officially became the party's nominee on August 5, 2024, after a formal roll call vote. Harris's campaign focused on a range of issues, including national abortion protections, LGBT+ rights, stricter gun control, and addressing climate change. She ultimately lost the election to Republican nominee Donald Trump.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of presidential campaign | 2024 |
| Date of announcement | July 21, 2024 |
| Party | Democratic Party |
| Date officially became the party's nominee | August 5, 2024 |
| Running mate | Minnesota Governor Tim Walz |
| Opposition party | Republican |
| Opposition candidates | Former President Donald Trump and U.S. Senator JD Vance of Ohio |
| Election result | Lost to Donald Trump |
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What You'll Learn
- Kamala Harris is the first Black woman and South Asian American Vice President
- Harris was Joe Biden's running mate in the 2020 election
- Harris became the Democratic nominee for the 2024 election
- She lost the 2024 election to Republican nominee Donald Trump
- Harris's political career began as a prosecutor
Kamala Harris is the first Black woman and South Asian American Vice President
Kamala Harris is a history-maker. The first woman, Black American, and South Asian American to be elected Vice President of the United States, she has also become the first Black woman and first South Asian woman nominated for president by a major U.S. political party.
Harris was born in Oakland, California, to an Indian-born mother and a Jamaican-born father. She attended high school in Canada before moving back to the U.S. to study political science and economics in Washington. She then returned to her home state of California to study law in 1986, passing the bar exam in 1990. Harris began her career as a prosecutor, serving as the District Attorney of San Francisco and later as California's Attorney General in 2011, becoming the first female, Black, and South Asian American to hold this post.
In 2017, Harris was sworn into the United States Senate, where she championed legislation to fight hunger, provide rent relief, improve maternal healthcare, and expand access to capital for small businesses. She also worked to address climate change and keep Americans safe from foreign threats. In 2020, Harris became the first woman, the first Black American, and the first South Asian American Vice President of the United States. As Vice President, she focused on advancing opportunities, delivering for families, and protecting fundamental freedoms, including a woman's right to make decisions about her own body.
In 2024, Harris announced her campaign for the presidency, becoming the Democratic presidential nominee. She faced off against Republican nominee Donald Trump in the general election but lost. Despite the loss, Harris made history again as the first Black woman and first South Asian woman to be a major party's presidential nominee.
Kamala Harris: Her Racial Identity and Political Career
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Harris was Joe Biden's running mate in the 2020 election
Kamala Harris was Joe Biden's running mate in the 2020 election. Biden announced Harris as his running mate on August 11, 2020, making her the first African American and first South Asian American vice-presidential nominee on a major-party ticket. Harris and Biden went on to defeat the Republican ticket of incumbent president Donald Trump and vice president Mike Pence. Harris was sworn in as the 49th vice president of the United States on January 20, 2021, becoming the first woman, the first Black American, and the first South Asian American to hold the office.
Harris's political career began in 2004 when she was elected District Attorney of San Francisco. In 2010, she was elected Attorney General of California, and in 2016 she was elected to the US Senate. During her time in the Senate, Harris championed legislation to fight hunger, provide rent relief, improve maternal healthcare, expand access to capital for small businesses, revitalise American infrastructure, and combat the climate crisis. She also served on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, where she worked to secure American elections.
In 2024, Harris ran for president, with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. She became the Democratic Party's nominee and faced off against former President Donald Trump and his running mate, US Senator JD Vance of Ohio. Harris lost the election to Trump.
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Harris became the Democratic nominee for the 2024 election
Kamala Harris, the 49th vice president of the United States, announced her 2024 campaign for president on July 21, 2024. On the same day, incumbent President Joe Biden withdrew his bid for reelection and endorsed her. Harris became the Democratic nominee on August 5, 2024, following a virtual roll call vote.
Harris's campaign focused on a range of issues, including national abortion protections, LGBT+ rights, stricter gun control, and addressing climate change. She also supported federal cannabis legalization, strengthening voting rights, and federal funding for housing. Harris's economic agenda was described as "populist" and included a focus on lowering the cost of living and making housing more affordable.
Harris's nomination was historic, as she became the first Black woman and the first South Asian woman nominated for president by a major U.S. political party. Her candidacy was met with both support and criticism, with some praising her for her diverse background and others criticizing her record as a prosecutor.
Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate, and they faced off against the Republican ticket of former President Donald Trump and U.S. Senator JD Vance of Ohio. Ultimately, Harris lost the 2024 election to Trump.
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She lost the 2024 election to Republican nominee Donald Trump
Kamala Harris, the former Vice President of the United States, was the Democratic Party's presidential nominee for the 2024 election. She was the first Black woman and the first South Asian woman to be nominated for president by a major US political party. Harris's presidential campaign focused on several issues, including national abortion protections, LGBT+ rights, stricter gun control, and addressing climate change. She also supported federal cannabis legalization, strengthening voting rights, and making housing more affordable.
However, Harris lost the 2024 presidential election to the Republican nominee, Donald Trump. Trump's victory was attributed to various factors, including his improved support among certain demographics, such as Latinos, African Americans, and young adults. On the other hand, Harris's campaign faced challenges, including her stance on transgender issues and her association with President Joe Biden, whose approval ratings had declined. Harris's running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, was also criticised by Trump, who claimed that Walz contributed to the Democrats' loss.
Harris's loss to Trump was a significant event in American political history, as it marked the second time a Democratic woman had lost a presidential election to Trump. Despite her defeat, Harris made history with her nomination and campaigned for important issues, leaving a lasting impact on the political landscape.
In the aftermath of the election, there were various reactions and responses from different individuals and groups. While Trump celebrated his victory and criticised his opponents, Harris received support and endorsements from prominent figures, such as the Clintons and Michelle Obama. The election results sparked discussions and analyses among political scientists and historians, who sought to understand the factors that contributed to the outcome.
The 2024 election cycle was also notable for its dynamics and developments. Harris initially served as Vice President to Biden before becoming the Democratic nominee. Biden's decision to withdraw from the race and endorse Harris played a significant role in shaping the election landscape. The transition process, which was planned but never implemented due to Harris's loss, also garnered attention, with various individuals and entities involved in the preparations.
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Harris's political career began as a prosecutor
Kamala Harris, the former Vice President of the United States, began her career as a prosecutor. Harris's political career began in 1990 when she passed the bar exam and started working as a district attorney. She rose through the ranks to become the top public prosecutor in California, serving as the state's attorney general from 2011 to 2017. During her time as a prosecutor, Harris styled herself as California's "top cop," but her career in law enforcement was not without controversy. She angered the police by refusing to seek the death sentence, even in cases where police officers were killed. At the same time, she faced criticism for not doing enough to tackle corruption within law enforcement.
In 2015, Harris announced her intention to run for the US Senate, securing the support of then-Vice President Joe Biden and President Barack Obama. She was sworn into the United States Senate in 2017, becoming the second Black woman to serve in the Senate. During her time in the Senate, Harris championed legislation to fight hunger, provide rent relief, improve maternal healthcare, expand access to capital for small businesses, revitalise America's infrastructure, and combat the climate crisis. She also served on the Judiciary Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, where she crafted bipartisan legislation to secure American elections.
In 2019, Harris launched her first campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination, with Biden as one of her opponents. Her years as a prosecutor became a point of contention during the campaign, with the "Kamala is a cop" meme haunting her. Despite this, in 2020, Biden chose Harris as his running mate for the 2020 presidential election. They went on to win the election, and Harris became the first woman, the first Black American, and the first South Asian American to serve as Vice President.
In 2024, Harris once again sought the Democratic nomination for president. This time, she ran as Biden's successor, following his decision to withdraw from the race. On August 5, 2024, Harris officially became the Democratic Party's nominee for president, making history as the first Black woman and the first South Asian woman nominated for president by a major US political party. However, she lost the general election to Republican nominee Donald Trump.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Kamala Harris was the Democratic presidential nominee in the 2024 election. She was the first Black and South Asian American woman to be nominated for president by a major U.S. political party.
No, she lost the 2024 election to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
Kamala Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate.
