US election: Meet Kamala Harris, Biden’s ally, who’s taking on Donald Trump
Image Source: Official portrait wikipedia
With the 2024 U.S. presidential election approaching, Kamala Harris has emerged as a central figure in the Democratic campaign, having been nominated as the party’s presidential candidate as Joe Biden steps down from the race.
In a statement on his official X handle on Sunday, June 21, President Biden said, “My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best decision I’ve made.”
Biden went on to offer his full support and endorsement for Kamala Harris to be the Democratic nominee in the 2024 election, urging Democrats to unite and work towards defeating Trump.
He said, “Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this.”
Early Life and Career
Kamala Harris was born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California. Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was a cancer researcher from India, and her father, Donald Harris, was an economist from Jamaica. Growing up in a family dedicated to civil rights, Harris was influenced by social justice issues from a young age.
Harris studied political science and economics at Howard University, a historically Black college. She then earned a law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. Harris began her legal career as a deputy district attorney in Alameda County, where she worked on serious cases like gang violence and sexual assault.
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Political Career
Harris’s political career took off when she was elected District Attorney of San Francisco in 2003. She worked on programs to help reduce repeat offenses and focused on rehabilitation rather than just punishment. In 2010, she was elected Attorney General of California, becoming the first woman and first person of color to hold the position. As AG, she tackled issues like foreclosure and human trafficking.
In 2016, Harris became a U.S. Senator from California, making history as the second African-American woman and first South Asian-American senator. In the Senate, she was known for her tough questions during hearings and her work on healthcare, climate change, and criminal justice reform.
Becoming Vice President
Harris ran for president in 2020 but ended her campaign before the primaries. Her strong performance caught the attention of Joe Biden, who chose her as his running mate. In November 2020, Harris made history again as the first female, first Black, and first South Asian Vice President of the United States.
Work as Vice President
As Vice President, Harris has been a key player in Biden’s administration, tackling significant issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic, voting rights, and climate change. Her leadership has been instrumental in advancing the administration’s agenda and addressing national challenges.
Personal Life
Harris is married to Doug Emhoff, the first Second Gentleman of the United States.
