Kamala Devi Harris is an American politician and attorney who has served as the 49th vice president of the United States since January 20, 2021. She is the first female vice president in American history, as well as the highest-ranking female official in U.S. history and the first African American and first Asian American vice president.
Harris was born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California. Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was a biologist from India, and her father, Donald Harris, is an economist from Jamaica. Harris grew up in Berkeley, California, and attended Howard University, a historically black university in Washington, D.C., where she majored in political science and economics. She then earned her law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.
Harris began her career in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office before being recruited to the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, where she became the head prosecutor for the Career Criminal Unit. In 2003, she was elected district attorney of San Francisco. Harris was later elected attorney general of California in 2010 and re-elected in 2014. As attorney general, she focused on issues such as the foreclosure crisis, environmental protection, and defending the Affordable Care Act.
In 2016, Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate, representing California. During her time in the Senate, she served on several committees, including the Judiciary Committee, the Intelligence Committee, and the Budget Committee. She gained national prominence for her tough questioning of Trump administration officials and nominees, including Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
Harris launched her campaign for the Democratic nomination for president in the 2020 election but later dropped out of the race and endorsed Joe Biden, who went on to win the nomination and the presidency. Biden selected Harris as his running mate, and they defeated incumbent President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence in the general election.
As vice president, Harris has focused on issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic, voting rights, and immigration reform. She has also been an advocate for historically marginalized communities, including women, people of color, and the LGBTQ+ community.
Harris is married to Douglas Emhoff, who is a lawyer and the first-ever second gentleman of the United States. She is stepmother to his two children from a previous marriage. Harris is also the author of two books, “Smart on Crime: A Career Prosecutor’s Plan to Make Us Safer” and “The Truths We Hold: An American Journey.”
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Kamala Harris has been a trailblazer in American politics. She made history multiple times with her election as vice president. Apart from being the first female vice president, she is also the first African American and first Asian American to hold this office. Harris’s multicultural background—her mother being Indian and her father Jamaican—adds to the diversity of her identity, resonating with many Americans.
Before becoming vice president, Harris had a distinguished career in law and politics. She served as California’s attorney general and was the second African American woman and first South Asian American to serve as a U.S. senator. Harris’s background as a prosecutor gave her a unique perspective on issues such as criminal justice reform and immigration.
During her time as a senator, Harris gained a reputation for her tough questioning of government officials and nominees. She was particularly vocal on issues such as healthcare, immigration, and racial justice. Harris’s performance in the Senate, coupled with her experience as a prosecutor and attorney general, made her a formidable candidate for higher office.
Harris’s selection as Joe Biden’s running mate in the 2020 election was seen as a historic moment. Her nomination was a nod to the growing influence of women and people of color in American politics. As vice president, Harris has continued to be a vocal advocate for the issues she cares about, including healthcare, climate change, and economic inequality.
Harris’s journey to the vice presidency is a testament to her resilience and determination. She has broken barriers and shattered glass ceilings, inspiring a new generation of women and girls to pursue their dreams. As vice president, Harris continues to be a role model for many, showing that with hard work and perseverance, anything is possible.