Kamala Harris has made history by securing the Democratic presidential nomination, becoming the first woman of color to lead a major party’s ticket in U.S. history. This historic achievement represents a significant milestone in American politics as Harris prepares for her presidential campaign. The Democratic National Committee officially confirmed her nomination after a decisive win in the primaries.
Her success marks a groundbreaking moment, making her the first African American and South Asian American woman to head a major party’s presidential ticket. Harris’s ascent to this notable role comes after a distinguished career as a U.S. Senator from California and as Vice President under President Joe Biden. Her journey from prosecutor to the second-highest office in the land and now to the top of the Democratic ticket underscores her considerable impact on the national stage.
The nomination process was rapid; Harris and her team quickly secured the necessary support from the 1,976 party delegates, achieving this milestone just 32 hours after Biden’s withdrawal. The Democratic National Convention delegates confirmed Harris’s nomination through a five-day online voting process, with 99 percent of delegates casting their votes in her favor. The formal certification of the vote is set for later this month, culminating in a celebratory roll call at the convention in Chicago.
Public perception of Harris is mixed, with an AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll showing 46 percent of Americans viewing her favorably and a similar percentage holding an unfavorable view. Nevertheless, her candidacy has energized the Democratic base, presenting a stark contrast to former President Donald Trump. Her campaign plans to focus on democracy, gun violence prevention, and abortion rights, while leveraging her prosecutorial experience to counter Trump’s legal challenges.
Born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California, Kamala Harris is the daughter of Shyamala Gopalan, a pioneering Indian breast cancer researcher, and Donald Harris, a distinguished Jamaican professor of economics. Her parents’ advocacy for civil rights influenced her early political outlook. Harris began her career as a prosecutor before becoming California’s Attorney General in 2010 and a U.S. Senator in 2016.
Harris’s initial presidential bid in 2020 ended before the Iowa caucuses due to internal campaign issues. However, her selection as Biden’s vice presidential running mate marked a turning point, leading to her prominent role in the administration. As Vice President, she faced challenges including diplomatic efforts on Central American migration and public scrutiny. Her prominence grew after the Supreme Court’s 2022 Roe v. Wade ruling, as she emerged as a leading advocate for abortion rights.
With Biden’s exit from the race, Harris’s campaign has gained momentum, particularly in battleground states. Her renewed candidacy has sparked enthusiasm among Democrats, leading to a surge in donations and volunteer support. She is expected to face significant scrutiny from the Trump campaign, which has already targeted her immigration record and questioned her diversity. In response, Harris has emphasized her commitment to unifying the country and addressing divisive rhetoric.
