Kamala Harris is the Vice President of the United States, serving as the first woman, first Black woman, and first South Asian American to hold the office. Born in Oakland, California, in 1964 to immigrant parents from India and Jamaica, Harris built her career as a prosecutor and politician in California before rising to national prominence.
Harris served as District Attorney of San Francisco, then as California's Attorney General, where she focused on criminal justice reform and consumer protection. In 2017, she was elected to the U.S. Senate, where she became known for her sharp questioning in high-profile hearings and her advocacy on issues such as healthcare, immigration reform, and racial justice.
In 2020, Harris was selected as Joe Biden's running mate, and the pair won the election, defeating incumbent President Donald Trump. As Vice President, Harris has taken on significant roles, including leading efforts on immigration reform, voting rights, and the Biden administration's push for economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic. She has also been a vocal advocate for women’s rights, particularly on the issue of abortion access in light of recent legal challenges to Roe v. Wade.
Harris is currently running for the 2024 presidential election, stepping in after Biden dropped out earlier in the campaign season. She recently participated in a highly anticipated debate with former President Donald Trump, where she focused on issues like reproductive rights, the economy, and climate change. The debate is seen as a critical moment in her efforts to define her own political identity and differentiate herself from both Biden and Trump.
Harris’ historic candidacy and her role in shaping the Democratic platform continue to make her a central figure in U.S. politics.