Kamala Devi Harris (born October 20, 1964) is an American politician and attorney who has been the 49th and current vice president of the United States since 2021, serving under president Joe Biden. She is the first female U.S. vice president, making her the highest-ranking female official in U.S. history. She is also the first African American and first Asian American vice president. A member of the Democratic Party, she was the party’s nominee in the 2024 presidential election, becoming the second woman nominated for president by a major U.S. political party. From 2017 to 2021, she represented California in the U.S. Senate, and was attorney general of California from 2011 to 2017. From 2004 to 2011, she served as district attorney of San Francisco.
Born in Oakland, California, Harris graduated from Howard University and the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. She began her law career in the office of the district attorney of Alameda County. She was recruited to the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office and later to the office of the city attorney of San Francisco. She was elected district attorney of San Francisco in 2003 and attorney general of California in 2010, and reelected as attorney general in 2014. Harris was the first woman, the first African American, and the first Asian American to hold each office.
Harris was the junior U.S. senator from California from 2017 to 2021. She won the 2016 Senate election, becoming the second Black woman and first South Asian American U.S. senator. As a senator, Harris advocated for stricter gun control laws, the DREAM Act, federal legalization of cannabis, and reforms to healthcare and taxation. She gained a national profile while asking pointed questions of Trump administration officials during Senate hearings, including Trump’s second Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh.
Harris sought the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination in 2019, but withdrew from the race before the primaries. Biden selected her as his running mate, and their ticket defeated the incumbent Republican president and vice president, Donald Trump and Mike Pence, in the 2020 election. Presiding over an evenly split Senate upon entering office, Harris played a crucial role as president of the Senate. She cast more tie-breaking votes than any other vice president, which helped pass bills such as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 stimulus package and the Inflation Reduction Act. After Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential election, Harris launched her campaign with Biden’s endorsement and soon became the presumptive nominee. She lost the general election to Trump.
Early Life and Education of Kamala Harris
Kamala Devi Harris was born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California. She is the daughter of Shyamala Gopalan, a biologist from India, and Donald J. Harris, an Afro-Jamaican economist. Shyamala Gopalan arrived in the United States in 1958 to pursue graduate studies in endocrinology at the University of California, Berkeley. Her significant contribution to breast cancer research, including her work on the progesterone receptor gene, played a pivotal role in advancing the field. Kamala’s father, Donald, came to the U.S. in 1961, also attending UC Berkeley, where he specialized in development economics. He went on to become the first Black scholar to earn tenure at Stanford University’s economics department.
Kamala’s parents met in 1962 and married in 1963. They lived in Berkeley until 1966, when they moved to college towns in the Midwest for academic positions. During these years, Kamala’s family resided in Urbana, Illinois (where her sister Maya was born in 1966), Evanston, Illinois, and Madison, Wisconsin. Kamala’s parents’ marriage ended in divorce when she was seven years old, after which she and her sister Maya lived primarily with their mother in Berkeley while spending weekends with their father in Palo Alto. Kamala’s mother, who was actively involved in Oakland and Berkeley’s intellectual and activist circles, played a major role in shaping her worldview.
In 1976, Shyamala took a research position at the McGill University School of Medicine in Montreal, Canada, prompting the family’s move to Montreal, where Kamala graduated from Westmount High School in 1981. Kamala attended Vanier College in Montreal for a year before transferring to Howard University in Washington, D.C. At Howard, Kamala immersed herself in student life, joining Alpha Kappa Alpha, a historically Black sorority. She graduated in 1986 with a degree in political science and economics.
Legal Education and Early Career
After completing her undergraduate degree, Kamala enrolled at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, in San Francisco, where she continued to show leadership. At Hastings, she served as president of the Black Law Students Association, an organization that advocates for African-American students in legal education. She graduated with her Juris Doctor in 1989.
Early Career in Alameda County
In 1990, Kamala Harris began her legal career as a deputy district attorney in Alameda County, California. In this role, she was recognized as an effective prosecutor, gaining experience that would shape her future in law enforcement. She earned a reputation for being an “able prosecutor” who was steadily rising through the ranks.
In 1994, she was appointed by then-Speaker of the California Assembly, Willie Brown, to serve on the state Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board and later on the California Medical Assistance Commission. During this time, Kamala’s career continued to grow, and she became involved in a range of legal and public service roles.
Assistant District Attorney in San Francisco
In February 1998, Kamala was appointed as an assistant district attorney under Terence Hallinan, the San Francisco District Attorney. In this role, Kamala quickly rose to prominence, becoming the chief of the Career Criminal Division. She oversaw a team of attorneys who prosecuted high-profile cases such as homicide, burglary, and robbery, particularly focusing on three-strikes cases. Her work in this area earned her significant recognition for her efforts to keep repeat offenders off the streets.
In 2000, Kamala took a job working for San Francisco City Attorney Louise Renne, where she headed the Family and Children’s Services Division. In this role, she handled cases related to child abuse and neglect, further broadening her legal expertise. Renne was a strong supporter of Kamala’s work and endorsed her during her subsequent campaign for District Attorney.
Becoming San Francisco District Attorney (2002–2011)
Kamala Harris’s career took a major leap in 2002 when she ran for District Attorney of San Francisco. Her campaign set her apart from her predecessor, Terence Hallinan, as she focused on his shortcomings and promised a more efficient approach to handling criminal cases. Her strong campaign resonated with voters, and she was elected as San Francisco’s first female and first African American district attorney, receiving 56% of the vote.
Kamala was re-elected unopposed in 2007 for a second term. During her time in office, she implemented several key initiatives aimed at improving the city’s criminal justice system. Within her first six months in office, she resolved a backlog of homicide cases, clearing 27 of 74 unresolved cases.
Kamala also took a firm stance on gun-related crimes, advocating for higher bail for defendants involved in such offenses. Her efforts to increase bail were aimed at preventing individuals from other areas from committing crimes in San Francisco. Law enforcement officers credited her with closing the loopholes that criminals had previously exploited.
Progressive Legal Reforms and Community Initiatives
Kamala Harris made significant strides in criminal justice reform during her tenure as District Attorney. She created a Hate Crimes Unit to address hate crimes, particularly those targeting LGBT youth in schools. Her office also supported the passage of A.B. 1160, which aimed to protect the rights of hate crime victims. In addition, she launched the San Francisco Reentry Division in 2004, which focused on helping ex-offenders reintegrate into society. The program had a notable impact, reducing the recidivism rate among participants to under 10%, compared to a statewide average of 53%.
Kamala also championed a citywide initiative to combat truancy in San Francisco. She recognized that chronic absenteeism was a major contributing factor to the city’s high rates of incarceration and homicide. By 2009, her office had successfully reduced the number of habitual truants by 23% in just a few years, using both legal measures and community-based strategies to address the issue.
Kamala Harris’s career as San Francisco District Attorney was marked by a commitment to both criminal justice reform and community safety, laying the foundation for her future political career.
Attorney General of California (2011–2017)
Kamala Harris was elected Attorney General of California in 2010, making history as the first woman, African American, and South Asian American to hold the office in the state. She took office on January 3, 2011, and served until January 3, 2017, when she resigned to take her seat in the United States Senate.
2010 Election and Political Support
In 2010, Kamala Harris announced her candidacy for the position of Attorney General and received endorsements from several prominent California Democrats, including U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, as well as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Harris won the Democratic primary and, in a tightly contested race, narrowly defeated the Republican nominee, Steve Cooley, in the general election.
Consumer Protection and Criminal Justice Reform
During her time as Attorney General, Harris focused on significant issues such as consumer protection, criminal justice reform, and privacy rights. She made major strides in consumer protection, securing substantial settlements with companies that had engaged in unfair practices. Notable examples include settlements with Quest Diagnostics, JPMorgan Chase, and Corinthian Colleges, where Harris’s actions resulted in the recovery of billions of dollars for California consumers.
Harris also worked to address aggressive foreclosure practices during the housing crisis, helping to create the Homeowner Bill of Rights, which provided protection to homeowners facing unjust foreclosures. This initiative led to multiple nine-figure settlements with mortgage servicers.
Privacy Rights and Technology Collaborations
On the privacy front, Harris took a proactive approach, particularly in the rapidly evolving tech industry. She collaborated with major tech companies, including Apple, Google, and Facebook, to ensure that mobile apps disclosed their data-sharing practices. In addition, she created the Privacy Enforcement and Protection Unit, which focused on protecting consumer data and addressing cyber privacy issues. This included settlements with companies like Comcast and Houzz for violating privacy laws, further solidifying her commitment to privacy protection in the digital age.
Criminal Justice and Reform Programs
Kamala Harris also made notable advancements in criminal justice reform. One of her key initiatives was the Division of Recidivism Reduction and Re-Entry, which aimed to reduce re-offending and support the reintegration of former offenders into society. She also launched the Back on Track LA program, which provided educational and job training opportunities to nonviolent offenders, offering them a path toward rehabilitation.
Despite her progressive stance on criminal justice, Harris faced criticism in some areas. She was criticized for defending the state in cases involving wrongful convictions, as well as for her office’s stance on prison labor. However, she continued to advocate for progressive reforms, including supporting the ban of the gay panic defense in California courts and opposing Proposition 8, the state’s same-sex marriage ban.
Reelection in 2014
In 2014, Kamala Harris was reelected to a second term as Attorney General, defeating Republican nominee Ronald Gold with 58% of the vote. Her second term saw an expansion of her focus on consumer protection and privacy rights, continuing to address significant issues affecting the public and maintaining her reputation as a strong advocate for California consumers.
Through her work in this office, Harris left a lasting impact on California’s legal landscape, furthering her reputation as a progressive leader committed to social justice, consumer protection, and technological advancements in privacy.
U.S. Senator (2017–2021)
Kamala Harris served as a U.S. senator from California from January 2017 until January 2021. This period followed her election victory in 2016, marking the beginning of her legislative career at the national level.
Election
Kamala Harris ran for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Senator Barbara Boxer, who had announced in 2015 that she would not seek re-election. Harris quickly emerged as a strong candidate, entering the race in early 2016, just days after Boxer’s announcement. Harris’s campaign began with strong support from the California Democratic Party, which helped fund her efforts.
The election used California’s “top-two” primary system, meaning the two candidates with the most votes in the primary advanced to the general election, regardless of party affiliation. In the June primary, Harris garnered 40% of the vote, securing the top spot and making her a leading contender in the race. She was endorsed by Governor Jerry Brown and later, by President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. In the general election, Harris defeated her opponent, fellow Democrat Loretta Sanchez, with more than 60% of the vote, and won nearly every county in California, highlighting her broad appeal.
Tenure and Political Positions
As a senator, Harris quickly made her mark with her positions on various key issues. She was a strong advocate for stricter gun control laws, the DREAM Act, federal legalization of cannabis, and significant healthcare and tax reforms. Harris also gained national attention for her sharp questioning of Trump’s cabinet appointees, including Jeff Sessions and Brett Kavanaugh, which showcased her as a determined and effective member of the Senate.
2017
Harris’s first year in the Senate was marked by her vocal opposition to President Trump’s policies. She strongly condemned Trump’s executive order restricting entry from Muslim-majority countries, calling it a “Muslim ban.” In her first few months, Harris raised concerns over the confirmations of several key Trump appointees, including Betsy DeVos and Jeff Sessions, and was instrumental in questioning their qualifications and actions. Her tough questioning became a hallmark of her Senate career.
She also made headlines when she demanded that Sessions resign after reports emerged about his communications with Russian officials, raising concerns about possible interference in the 2016 election. Later that year, she took part in questioning key figures like Rod Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General, about the firing of FBI Director James Comey, further cementing her reputation as a fierce advocate for accountability and transparency.
2018
In 2018, Harris continued to push for progressive reforms, focusing on issues such as immigration, family separations at the U.S.-Mexico border, and racial justice. She was a strong critic of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and the Trump administration’s policies, calling for her resignation over the controversial family separation policy.
Harris also took an active role in the contentious confirmation hearings for Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court. She was instrumental in questioning Kavanaugh about his involvement with the Mueller investigation and his handling of allegations of sexual misconduct, ultimately voting against his confirmation. In December, Harris sponsored the Justice for Victims of Lynching Act, which sought to make lynching a federal hate crime.
2019
In 2019, Harris continued to advocate for progressive reforms such as school desegregation through busing, climate change action through the Green New Deal, and voting rights protection. She also co-sponsored a bill to push for greater accountability and transparency in the wake of the Mueller investigation and criticized Attorney General William Barr for his handling of the report.
Throughout the year, Harris championed causes such as human rights, calling for investigations into the persecution of Uyghurs in China, and demanding answers regarding the mistreatment of transgender detainees in U.S. immigration custody.
2020
Harris began 2020 by actively participating in the impeachment trial of President Trump, making it clear that she believed no one, not even the president, should be above the law. She voted to convict Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, underscoring her commitment to upholding the rule of law. Harris also worked on bipartisan legislation on issues like bail reform, election security, and workplace harassment, proving her ability to collaborate across party lines while still pushing for her core progressive values.
2021
After being elected Vice President of the United States in November 2020, Kamala Harris resigned from her Senate seat on January 18, 2021, and was succeeded by California Secretary of State Alex Padilla. Her resignation marked the end of her tenure in the Senate, but she left behind a legacy of being a groundbreaking and trailblazing senator, with a focus on social justice, immigration reform, and advocating for underrepresented communities.
Committee Assignments
During her time in the Senate, Harris served on several influential committees, including the Senate Judiciary Committee, the Select Committee on Intelligence, and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Through these roles, she was able to influence key policy areas such as law enforcement, national security, and judicial nominations, where she became a key figure in questioning nominees and holding hearings on various issues of national importance.
Caucus Memberships
In addition to her committee work, Harris was a member of various caucuses, including the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, the Congressional Black Caucus, and the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues. These memberships allowed her to advocate on behalf of communities that are often underrepresented in the Senate and ensure their concerns were heard in national conversations.
Each of these sections outlines significant moments and political actions during Kamala Harris’s tenure as a U.S. Senator, illustrating her dynamic role in shaping national policies and advancing progressive causes.
2020 Presidential Election
Kamala Harris entered the 2020 Democratic presidential race with a high profile. In June 2018, she expressed interest in the possibility of running, saying she was “not ruling it out.” This fueled speculation, especially after the announcement in July 2018 that she would publish a memoir, signaling a potential run for office. Harris officially launched her candidacy for the presidency on January 21, 2019, in her hometown of Oakland, California, where she received a substantial amount of media attention. In the first 24 hours of her campaign launch, Harris matched a record for the most campaign donations in a single day, previously set by Bernie Sanders in 2016. Over 20,000 people attended her campaign rally in Oakland, which signified strong initial support for her candidacy.
During the first Democratic primary debate in June 2019, Harris made headlines by confronting former Vice President Joe Biden over his past comments regarding segregationist senators and his opposition to mandatory school busing in the 1970s. Her sharp criticism garnered attention, resulting in a surge in her poll numbers, increasing by six to nine points after the debate. However, in the second debate in August 2019, both Biden and Representative Tulsi Gabbard criticized Harris for her record as California’s Attorney General. This included accusations of mishandling cases such as the DNA testing of a death row inmate, which impacted her standing. As a result, her poll numbers began to fall significantly over the next few months.
Despite being a progressive figure, Harris faced significant criticism from reformers for her tough-on-crime stance during her tenure as Attorney General of California. In particular, her defense of California’s death penalty in 2014 raised eyebrows among activists. Throughout her campaign, Harris also faced scrutiny related to her record on criminal justice and law enforcement.
Harris’s presidential campaign also saw the rise of an online grassroots movement known as the “#KHive.” This movement, which formed to support Harris and defend her against racial and sexist attacks, played an important role in organizing and mobilizing her supporters. The term “#KHive” was coined in 2017 by Joy Reid on Twitter and became an influential force throughout Harris’s presidential campaign.
Ultimately, on December 3, 2019, Harris ended her presidential bid, citing a lack of campaign funds. In March 2020, she endorsed Joe Biden for president, signaling her shift from presidential contender to supporting Biden’s campaign.
Vice Presidential Campaign
Kamala Harris shifted focus to the vice-presidential campaign in 2020. In May 2019, prominent members of the Congressional Black Caucus, a group of African-American lawmakers, endorsed the idea of a Biden-Harris ticket. Following Biden’s decisive win in the South Carolina Democratic primary in late February 2020, there were renewed calls for Biden to select a black woman as his running mate. This came after his endorsement by House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, who had been instrumental in Biden’s success in South Carolina. Clyburn advocated for the selection of a black woman to recognize the loyalty and contributions of African-American voters to the Democratic Party.
Biden publicly committed in March 2020 to selecting a woman as his vice-presidential nominee, which narrowed the field significantly. As the race for the vice-presidency intensified, Harris emerged as a leading contender. Her experience as a U.S. senator and former attorney general, coupled with her identity as both an African American and Indian American, made her an appealing choice for Biden’s campaign.
Harris publicly stated in April 2020 that she would be honored to serve as Biden’s running mate, further fueling speculation about her potential selection. In the months that followed, Harris’s political experience, including her previous presidential run and her work in the Senate, positioned her as a strong candidate for the role of vice president.
On August 11, 2020, Joe Biden officially announced that he had chosen Kamala Harris as his running mate. This historic selection made Harris the first African American, the first Indian American, and the third woman in U.S. history to be selected as a vice-presidential nominee on a major-party ticket.
Harris’s selection was a significant moment in U.S. political history. She became the first resident of the Western United States to appear on the Democratic Party’s national ticket. After Biden and Harris won the 2020 presidential election, Harris became the vice president-elect, marking the culmination of her political journey to the second-highest office in the country.
Vice Presidency (2021–Present)
Kamala Harris was inaugurated as the 49th vice president of the United States on January 20, 2021, making history as the first woman, first African American, and first Asian American to hold the office. She was sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, marking a historic moment in American politics. Harris’s victory was a significant step toward diversity and inclusion in the highest levels of government, symbolizing progress for women and minority communities in the United States.
As vice president, one of Harris’s primary roles has been to serve as president of the Senate. Given the narrow 50-50 split between Republicans and Democrats in the Senate, Harris has frequently been called upon to cast tie-breaking votes. Her first two tie-breaking votes came on February 5, 2021, and her involvement in key legislation continued throughout her first year in office. In fact, by July 2021, Harris had already surpassed the previous record for the most tie-breaking votes in a vice presidency, a record set by Mike Pence. Over her first year, Harris cast a total of 13 tie-breaking votes, the most in U.S. history.
In December 2023, Harris set another record by surpassing John C. Calhoun’s long-standing record for the most tie-breaking votes cast by a vice president, reaching her 32nd vote. Her role in the Senate has been vital in ensuring the passage of critical legislation, such as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which provided financial relief to Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On November 19, 2021, Harris briefly served as acting president while Joe Biden underwent a colonoscopy, becoming the first woman to hold the powers of the presidency, albeit temporarily.
Immigration
In March 2021, President Biden tasked Vice President Harris with addressing the root causes of migration from Central America, particularly from Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Harris was assigned to work with these nations to stem irregular migration to the United States. Despite being informally referred to as a “border czar” by the media, Harris rejected this title, as she had no direct authority over the U.S.–Mexico border.
During her first foreign trip as vice president in June 2021, Harris visited Guatemala and Mexico, aiming to address the factors driving migration, such as poverty, violence, and corruption in these countries. She made a direct appeal to potential migrants, warning them not to make the dangerous journey to the United States-Mexico border.
Harris’s efforts led to the creation of multiple initiatives, including task forces focused on combating corruption and human trafficking in Central America, the formation of the Partnership for Central America, and an investment fund for housing and businesses in the region.
Foreign Policy
As vice president, Harris has played a crucial diplomatic role in the Biden administration, especially regarding U.S. foreign policy. In April 2021, she was involved in the discussions around the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, with Harris stating that Biden had shown “extraordinary courage” in his decision-making. Her contributions to foreign policy continued as she worked on global issues, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Harris’s diplomatic efforts included visits to Europe, where she met with key international leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron, to strengthen U.S.-France relations. She also took on a key role in rallying support for Ukraine and imposing sanctions on Russia. Her involvement in the diplomatic sphere reflects her growing influence and importance in the Biden administration’s foreign policy decisions.
In April 2023, Harris traveled to Maryland to meet with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, where they agreed to strengthen the space alliance between the U.S. and South Korea, highlighting the growing importance of space cooperation.
In November 2023, Harris made a strong statement regarding U.S. aid to Israel, pledging that no conditions would be placed on U.S. support in Israel’s war with Hamas. However, she also criticized Israel’s actions during the Israel–Hamas conflict in March 2024, calling for an immediate ceasefire to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Kamala Harris 2024 Presidential Campaign
In April 2023, incumbent President Joe Biden officially announced his reelection bid, with Vice President Kamala Harris as his running mate. Their combined candidacy continued after the Democratic primaries, where they were positioned as the presumptive nominees for the 2024 presidential election. Throughout Biden’s first term, concerns about his age and health were prevalent, and scrutiny intensified following his performance in the first presidential debate of June 2024. By July 2024, Biden suspended his campaign and endorsed Harris to take his place as the presidential candidate. This transition marked a significant moment in the campaign.
Harris received endorsements from key political figures, including former presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Barack and Michelle Obama, and the Congressional Black Caucus. This widespread support further solidified her position within the Democratic Party. In a remarkable show of public enthusiasm, her campaign raised $81 million in small-dollar donations within the first 24 hours of her candidacy, setting a new record for a presidential campaign. If Harris had won, she would have made history as the first female and first Asian-American president, while also becoming the second African-American president after Barack Obama.
By early August 2024, Harris officially secured the Democratic nomination via a virtual roll call of delegates. She then selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her vice-presidential running mate. On the fourth day of the Democratic National Convention in August, Harris accepted the nomination for president, solidifying her place as the Democratic standard-bearer. Following the convention, she participated in a high-profile debate with former President Donald Trump on September 10, which was widely considered a victory for Harris. In late October, she delivered a “closing argument” speech in Washington, D.C., aimed at rallying support for her final push toward Election Day. Unfortunately, Harris lost the election to Donald Trump, and she conceded defeat the following day in a speech at her alma mater, Howard University.
Political Positions
Kamala Harris’s political positions are shaped by her progressive views on a variety of domestic and foreign issues. Domestically, she has advocated for national abortion protections, LGBTQ+ rights, stricter gun control laws, and policies to address climate change, although her stance on climate legislation has been described as more limited compared to other progressives. In terms of immigration, Harris supports providing a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and increasing border security, while also addressing the root causes of illegal immigration through the RCS program.
On foreign policy, Harris supports continued U.S. military aid to both Ukraine and Israel amidst their ongoing conflicts, though she has called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and advocates for a two-state solution. She has also expressed opposition to an arms embargo on Israel. Economically, Harris has taken positions that diverge from Biden’s, embracing what some have called a “populist” economic agenda, which aims to address income inequality and foster economic opportunity for all Americans.
Personal Life
Kamala Harris has had a varied personal life that intersects with both her professional and public personas. In the 1990s, she dated Willie Brown, the Speaker of the California Assembly and former Mayor of San Francisco, which was widely discussed in the media at the time. In 2001, she briefly dated talk show host Montel Williams. Harris met her husband, Doug Emhoff, in 2013 through a blind date set up by a mutual friend. Emhoff, an entertainment lawyer, was born into a Jewish family and had children from a previous marriage. The couple married in 2014 and Harris became stepmother to Emhoff’s two children, Cole and Ella. As of 2024, the couple’s net worth was estimated at $8 million.
Harris is a Baptist, belonging to the Third Baptist Church of San Francisco. She is also a member of The Links, a prominent social organization for Black women. Harris is an advocate for gun control and is a gun owner herself. Her extended family includes her sister Maya Harris, a lawyer and political analyst, and her brother-in-law Tony West, a senior official at Uber. Harris is fluent in both English and Tamil, her mother’s native language.
Public Image
Kamala Harris’s public image has evolved significantly throughout her political career, especially as she assumed higher office. Initially, her approval ratings were low, particularly as vice president, with a significant portion of the public holding unfavorable views of her performance. However, after Joe Biden suspended his reelection bid and endorsed her for president, her approval rating saw a significant rebound, especially among Democrats. By September 2024, she had gained a net positive favorable rating.
Harris has also been a subject of media attention due to her distinctive laugh, which has been both dissected and celebrated as one of her personal trademarks. In addition to her laugh, certain public remarks of hers have gone viral, with her quip about “falling out of a coconut tree” becoming a widely shared meme. While she has faced significant turnover in her vice-presidential staff, with several key members leaving due to personal and professional reasons, Harris’s public image has improved as she moved into the 2024 presidential race.
During the campaign, Harris faced criticism from Trump’s team over her stance on gender-affirming surgeries for transgender individuals in prison. Trump’s campaign produced highly-funded advertisements attacking her position, particularly her support for such surgeries as part of broader transgender rights issues. Despite these challenges, Harris maintained a strong presence in the public eye throughout the campaign.
