Kamala Harris could become the first woman of color to be nominated for President of the United States. On July 21, President Joe Biden announced that he would not seek re-election, citing the best interests of the party and the country, and endorsed Harris as the Democratic candidate for the next election. This nomination is expected to be formalized at the Democratic National Convention on August 19 in Chicago. Although Harris is the frontrunner, other candidates might still enter the race.
Biden’s decision is unprecedented, as no sitting president has stepped down from a second term without facing legal or ethical issues. This move followed concerns about his health after he appeared confused during a debate with Donald Trump on June 27.
If nominated, Harris is expected to shift the campaign focus to key issues like immigration reform, abortion rights, and support for Ukraine. Trump has already labeled her as part of the “radical left,” while Democrats typically describe Trump as a threat to democracy. However, they might tone down their rhetoric following a recent assassination attempt on a Republican candidate.
As Vice President, Harris has been tasked with handling diplomacy with Latin American countries, focusing on reducing the flow of migrants to the U.S. by addressing root causes like poverty and lack of job opportunities in their home countries. She faced criticism for delaying a visit to the border. Harris has also been involved in defending voting rights and women’s reproductive rights, especially after the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which had guaranteed the right to abortion.
Internationally, Harris has made numerous trips and met with over 150 world leaders. Despite this, analysts say she has yet to establish herself as an international leader in the eyes of voters. The upcoming debates with Trump could change this perception.
Harris could take different stances from the Biden administration on foreign policy issues, potentially attracting young progressive voters who have been disappointed with the current administration’s support for Israel, which led to student protests.
Kamala Harris was born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California, to immigrant parents. Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was a biologist from India, and her father, Donald Harris, is an economist from Jamaica. Harris graduated from Howard University with a degree in political science and economics and then earned her law degree from the University of California.
After serving as District Attorney of San Francisco and Attorney General of California, where she built a reputation as a tough prosecutor, Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2016, becoming only the second Black woman in history to do so. She served on several Senate committees, including Intelligence, Budget, Judiciary, and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, gaining some experience in foreign policy.
If nominated, Harris will need to select a vice-presidential running mate who complements her and works to secure votes in key swing states that could determine the election outcome.