Kamala Harris, born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California, is the 49th Vice President of the United States, serving since 2021 under President Joe Biden. Harris is the first woman, the first Black American, and the first Asian American to hold the office of Vice President. Prior to this, she served as a U.S. Senator from California (2017–21) and as the Attorney General of California (2011–17). In July 2024, following a poor performance in a nationally televised debate, President Biden decided not to seek reelection and endorsed Harris as the Democratic Party’s nominee for the 2024 presidential election.

Early Life and Education

Harris’s father, a Jamaican, was an economics professor at Stanford University, while her mother, an Indian immigrant, was a cancer researcher. Growing up, Harris maintained close ties with her Indian relatives and often visited Chennai, India, with her mother and sister. Harris’s sister, Maya, later became a public policy advocate. Harris attended Howard University, earning a B.A. in political science and economics in 1986, and then received her law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 1989.

Career as Attorney General

Harris began her career as a deputy district attorney in Alameda County, California, in 1990, focusing on prosecuting cases involving gang violence, drug trafficking, and sexual abuse. Her success and determination led her to be elected as the District Attorney of San Francisco in 2004. In 2010, Harris was elected as the Attorney General of California, becoming the first woman and the first African American to hold the position. She took office in 2011 and gained a reputation for her independence and tenacity. Notably, she refused to settle a lawsuit against mortgage lenders for unfair practices, ultimately securing a settlement five times larger than the original offer. Harris also declined to defend Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage in California, contributing to its eventual overturn.

Rising Political Star

Harris’s national profile rose after her speech at the 2012 Democratic National Convention. In 2015, she announced her candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat held by retiring Senator Barbara Boxer. Harris’s campaign focused on issues such as immigration reform, criminal justice reform, increasing the minimum wage, and protecting women’s reproductive rights. She won the Senate seat in the 2016 election, becoming the first Indian American and the second Black woman to serve in the U.S. Senate.

In the Senate, Harris served on the Select Committee on Intelligence and the Judiciary Committee. Her sharp questioning during hearings, particularly those involving Trump administration officials, drew significant attention. Harris announced her bid for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination but withdrew in December 2019 due to lack of funds. Despite her withdrawal, she continued to be a prominent voice on social justice issues, especially after the death of George Floyd in May 2020.

Vice Presidential Nomination and Election

In August 2020, Joe Biden selected Harris as his vice-presidential running mate, making her the first Black and South Asian woman on a major party’s national ticket. The Biden-Harris ticket won the November 2020 election, and Harris made history as the first woman, first Black American, and first Asian American Vice President of the United States.

Vice Presidency

As Vice President, Harris has been tasked with addressing key issues such as immigration, voting rights, and women’s reproductive rights. She has played a significant role in advocating for policies to address the root causes of migration from Latin America, promoting legislation to protect voting rights, and ensuring access to reproductive health care. Harris also broke a nearly 200-year-old record by casting the most tie-breaking votes in the history of the U.S. Senate. Following President Biden’s decision to endorse her as the Democratic nominee for the 2024 presidential election, Harris has continued to be a vocal advocate for progressive policies and social justice reform.