Kamala Harris is once again making history, but this time, it’s in a way few could have predicted.
She has already achieved numerous firsts: as San Francisco’s first female district attorney, California’s first female attorney general, the second Black woman in the U.S. Senate, and the nation’s first female, first Black, and first Asian American vice president.
Now, as a pivotal moment in American history unfolds, Harris, 59, is positioned to become the Democratic nominee for president following President Biden’s withdrawal from the race on Sunday.
Biden, 81, citing concerns about his age and electability, exited the race, calling it a “selfless and patriotic act,” and endorsed Harris as his successor.
If Harris secures the nomination at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month, she will make history as the first woman of color to lead a national ticket. Should she win, she will be the first female president.
“We have 107 days until Election Day,” Harris stated on Sunday. “Together, we will fight. And together, we will win.”
In a surge of grassroots support, ActBlue reported that $46.7 million had been raised within hours of Harris launching her campaign.
Harris, who supported Biden amid criticism of his debate performance and calls for him to step down, steps into her new role during a time of significant Democratic Party turmoil.
She will undoubtedly face strong opposition from Republicans, united behind their nominee, Donald Trump.
The twice-impeached and criminally convicted former president narrowly avoided an assassination attempt before the start of last week’s Republican National Convention.
“I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party — and unite our nation — to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda,” Harris wrote on social media, referencing Trump’s controversial manifesto.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has had a complex political relationship with Harris, praised her on Sunday, describing her as “Tough. Fearless. Tenacious.”
“With our democracy at stake and our future on the line, no one is better to prosecute the case against Donald Trump’s dark vision and guide our country in a healthier direction than America’s Vice President, @KamalaHarris,” Newsom posted.
According to the source, Harris, born in Oakland in 1964, comes from a background of political and social diversity.
Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, was an Indian cancer researcher, and her father, Donald Harris, was an economist from Jamaica.
Her early life was marked by her mother’s influence after her parents’ divorce. Harris has often spoken of the pride she feels in her heritage, particularly in her memoir, “The Truths We Hold: An American Journey.”
She began her political career as a prosecutor in Alameda County and San Francisco, winning her first significant race against an incumbent Democrat.
Despite being known as a law-and-order candidate, she took a stand against the death penalty.
Harris faced criticism for her stance on the death penalty and her handling of high-profile cases, but she also earned recognition for her refusal to defend Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage in California.
Her multiracial background and political rise have drawn comparisons to former President Obama.
In 2014, she married Doug Emhoff, a white lawyer, and became a stepmother, gaining the affectionate nickname “Momala.”
In 2016, Harris won election to the U.S. Senate, becoming the second Black woman to do so. Her victory was overshadowed by Donald Trump’s unexpected win over Hillary Clinton.
Throughout the Trump era, Harris gained prominence, particularly during her Senate grilling of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
Her dramatic debate performance in the 2020 presidential race, where she challenged Biden on his past, remains memorable.
Though her 2020 campaign struggled with infighting and messaging issues, Harris’s impact was notable. She and Biden’s victory in the 2020 election was marked by a viral moment of Harris congratulating Biden.
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As vice president, Harris has been closely watched, facing both praise and criticism. Critics have pointed to staff turnover as a sign of weakness, while supporters argue she faces a double standard.
Sen. Laphonza Butler, a longtime advisor, commended Harris for her dedication to unity, noting her ability to navigate political challenges and critiques.