5 Facts About Vice President Kamala Harris You Should Know
The Democratic Party has been in a whirlwind since President Joe Biden announced the end of his reelection bid on July 21. Per the Associated Press, nearly two-thirds of Democrats wanted him to withdraw to nominate another candidate. The reason? President Biden’s “disastrous” debate performance with former President Donald Trump on June 27.In addition, President Biden also tested positive for COVID-19 on July 17.
Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him as the Democratic nominee, and many supporters organized Zoom calls to raise funds and build support for her race to the White House. Democrats have started their virtual roll call to officially vote on the nomination.
“I am honored to have the president’s endorsement, and my intention is to earn and win this nomination,” Kamala said in a statement. “Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election.”
As the world watches to see what’s next for the upcoming nomination and future presidential election, here are a few facts about the prosecutor-turned-politician that you should know:
1. Kamala Harris is an HBCU graduate and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Kamala attended Howard University, a historically Black college, where she majored in political science and economics. She’s also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the first Black Greek letter organization founded by Black women.
2. She has made history as a prosecutor and a politician.
The prosecutor-turned-senator has accomplished many career firsts. Kamala was the first Black woman to be elected district attorney in California. She is also California’s first female and South Asian attorney general. She is the country’s first Indian-American senator. In 2021, she became the first woman, Black person, and Asian American to serve as vice president on a major-party ticket.
If nominated as a presidential candidate when the DNC decides on Aug. 7, Kamala will become the first woman of color to be a major party presidential nominee. If elected in November, she will be the first woman and first Black and Asian American to be president in the history of the United States.
3. Kamala is pro-choice.
According to The New York Times, Kamala “consistently supported abortion rights during her time in the Senate including cosponsoring legislation that would have banned common state-level restrictions.”
Also, at an event in Jacksonville, Fla., on May 1, Kamala stated, “This is a fight for freedom — the fundamental freedom to make decisions about one’s own body and not have their government tell them what they’re supposed to do.”
4. The vice president is a successful author.
Her first book, “Smart on Crime: A Career Prosecutor’s Plan to Make Us Safer,” released in July 2010, details her thoughts on criminal justice. She shares her sentiments about the importance of lawmakers and prosecutors being smart with their approach while also being tough on crime.
Kamala’s second book, “Superheroes Are Everywhere,” released in January 2019, is a children’s read that inspires young readers to channel the superhero from within. The picture book shows kids that superheroes come in many shapes and forms while also reminding readers to be the best they can be.
Her second book, the memoir “The Truths We Hold: An American Journey,” highlights her personal and professional life and shares her journey of discovering her true purpose and values. This book was released in May 2019.
5. Kamala has addressed criminal justice reform.
While her record related to criminal justice has faced mixed criticisms and support, according to reports, Kamala has implemented various policies related to criminal justice reform. For example, per NBC News, Kamala created the Back on Track (BOT) program in 2005, which provided nonviolent offenders with access to work, the chance to receive a high school diploma and job training.
And according to CNBC, in the past three and half years, the administration “has promoted some criminal justice reforms — but its track record has come under criticism from advocates.” The news site points to Biden’s effort to sign into law the Safer Communities Act, marking the first substantial package of gun safety laws “in nearly 30 years,” and noting that Kamala said she would “support a national standard for police use of force, and proposing a new federal board that would review police shootings.
