US Vice President Kamala Harris has already shattered barriers, and now she is about to break even more following President Joe Biden’s sudden decision to halt his reelection campaign and endorse her.
Biden, on Sunday, announced his decision to step down following a poor debate performance that raised concerns about his ability to continue for another term.
Harris, breaking barriers, could potentially become the first female, Black, or person of South Asian descent to hold the position of vice president.
If she secures the Democratic nomination and defeats Donald Trump in November, she would make history as the first female president.
Biden revealed that selecting Harris as his running mate was “the best decision I’ve made” and gave his full support for her as his successor.
Accepting the president’s nomination, Harris wrote on X, “Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump”.
“I am honoured to have the President’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination,” Harris said.
However, her nomination is not a foregone conclusion, and there have been suggestions that the party should hold a “mini primary” to consider other candidates before its convention in Chicago next month.
Here’s what we know about Harris:
Who is Kamala Harris ?
Harris, aged 59, was born in Oakland, California, to an Indian-born mother and a Jamaican-born father.
She pursued her education at Howard University in Washington, DC, before earning her law degree from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco.
Starting her career in the Alameda County district attorney’s office, she later transitioned to the San Francisco district attorney’s office.
In 2003, she assumed the role of San Francisco’s district attorney. Subsequently, she was elected as California’s attorney general in 2010 and re-elected four years later.
Her entry into the US Senate in 2016 marked the beginning of her prominent role as a vocal critic of Trump, particularly concerning his immigration policies.
Harris’s impactful interrogation of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh in 2018 further established her as a rising star within the Democratic Party.
Married to lawyer Doug Emhoff, who made history as the first “second gentleman” post the 2020 election, Harris and Emhoff have no children.
How did she become vice president?
Harris entered the race for the presidency in 2020 but lost momentum due to lacklustre debate performances during the primaries.
During the 2020 election, Biden pledged to choose a female running mate, a promise he fulfilled by selecting Harris.
Her selection aimed to attract Black voters and invigorate the party’s base, leveraging her law enforcement background and moderate stance to sway undecided voters from Trump, though this stance caused friction within the progressive wing of the party.
Despite a notable clash with Biden on race during a 2019 debate, which went viral, many believed it might have hindered her chances of being chosen as the vice president once Biden secured the party’s nomination.
How has she made history?
Harris has achieved numerous firsts in her career, notably being the first Black woman to occupy various positions: San Francisco’s district attorney, California’s attorney general, California senator, and vice president.
Additionally, she made history as the first daughter of immigrants to be elected as vice president.
What Harris victory means for women
With the recent nomination of Kamala Harris to America’s Presidency, women’s leadership is taking its rightful place under the spotlight.
Harris’s election as president is likely to spark progress on gender equality in society.
While in the white house, Harris focused on several key initiatives and was instrumental in some of the Biden administration’s most touted accomplishments.
During her nationwide “Fight for Reproductive Freedoms” tour, Harris passionately advocated for women’s rights to make choices regarding their bodies.
In a notable exchange with now-Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, she challenged him on laws governing men’s bodies, which resonated strongly with women and abortion rights advocates.
She emphasized the consequences of abortion restrictions and urged Congress to reinstate the safeguards of Roe v. Wade after the conservative justices of the Supreme Court overturned the abortion rights in 2022.
Olekanma Favour is a resourceful, self-motivated, and result-driven writer with a passion for crafting compelling narratives and insightful content. She loves tackling complex topics and weaving engaging stories.
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