By becoming Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris became the first woman to hold the position, was considered a pioneer in this regard, and was officially recognized as the first African-American and South Asian American to hold the vice presidency of that country.
However, the main reason why Harris has captured international media interest is because of what happened on July 21, 2024, when US President Joe Biden renounced his possible re-election and proposed her as the new Democratic candidate.
“I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all of my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My first decision as the party’s nominee in 2020 was to choose Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it has been the best decision I have ever made,” Biden said on his X account (formerly Twitter).
Biden called on the Democratic Party to support Harris’ candidacy and expressed his full support for the vice president’s candidacy.
“Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement to Kamala to be our party’s nominee this year. Democrats: It’s time to come together and defeat Trump. Let’s do it,” Biden said.
My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best… pic.twitter.com/x8DnvuImJV
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024
Who is Kamala Harris?
Kamala Harris is the current Vice President of the United States with an extensive career in law and politics. She was born on October 20, 1964 in Oakland, California.
The US vice president is the first-born of an immigrant couple – Shyamala Gopalan, a cancer researcher of Indian origin, and Donald Harris, a Jamaican economist – who separated when she was seven years old.
According to official White House data: “His parents were active in the civil rights movement and instilled in him a commitment to creating strong coalitions that would fight for the rights and freedoms of all people.”
Despite her multicultural background, Harris describes herself solely as “American,” as she claims to have always been comfortable with her identity, as she recounts in her autobiography. The Truths We Hold.
Professionally, Harris holds a bachelor’s degree from Howard University in 1986 and a Juris Doctorate from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 1989.
Harris became a senator-elect in 2016 and served from January 3, 2017, to January 18, 2021, when she resigned to become vice president.
According to international media, Harris showed special interest in the Central American region during her tenure as a senator. During the Donald Trump administration (2017-2021), she was among the 30 legislators who asked Trump to reverse the decision to cut aid to Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras.
How old is Kamala Harris?
Harris was born on October 20, 1964. Kamala Harris is currently 59 years old. From her youth, the official showed a special interest in law and politics. At the age of 56, Harris became Vice President of the United States.
Who is Kamala Harris’s husband?
Kamala Harris’ husband is Douglas Emhoff, better known as Doug. Emhoff is credited with breaking cultural barriers by becoming the first man to hold a position that had been held solely by women throughout history.
On his official X account, he defines himself as “The Second Gentleman of the United States, devoted father and proud husband of Kamala Harris.” It should be noted that the position of Second Gentleman did not exist until Harris became vice president of the United States.
How many children does Kamala Harris have?
Harris married Emhoff in 2014. According to official White House information, Emhoff and Harris have a large, blended family that includes their children, Ella and Cole. It should be added that, in her childhood, Harris grew up around a diverse community and an extended family.
Read more: “It’s time to pass the baton”: Hollywood celebrates Joe Biden’s decision and artists support Kamala Harris
What does Kamala Harris do?
Kamala Harris has served as Vice President of the United States since January 20, 2021, to date. Official information from the White House states that she is a pioneer in the office and has broken several barriers since she served as District Attorney of San Francisco until today.
What positions has Kamala Harris held?
Here are some of the most important positions Harris has held during her career, according to data from the U.S. Senate Biographical Directory:
- She served as an Assistant District Attorney for Alameda County, California from 1990 to 1998.
- He was District Attorney of San Francisco from 2004-2011.
- He also served as California’s attorney general from 2011 to 2016.
- She was elected to the United States Senate in 2016 and served from January 3, 2017, to January 18, 2021.
- Since 2021, she has been Vice President of the United States.
According to international and local media and the words of Joe Biden himself, Harris could become the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate for the November 5, 2024 elections.
Read also: Biden calls for votes for Kamala Harris after dropping out of US presidential race
What has Kamala Harris done in the US?
Although the official White House description of her is that she works for families, promoting opportunities and protecting fundamental freedoms, not all comments regarding her management have been favorable.
According to international media, the resignation of key staff members showed that the new vice president was a demanding official with some difficulties managing her political portfolio.
However, Amy Dacey, former executive director of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), told the outlets that Harris was doing exactly what she was asked to do. The U.S. Constitution establishes that the vice president has only two duties: to assume office when the president is unable to serve and to preside over the U.S. Senate.
On the other hand, Harris currently has more than half a thousand delegate supports, of the 1,986 she requires to obtain the nomination for her presidential candidacy by the Democratic Party, according to information from EFE.
Kamala Harris’ controversial past
Harris has shown certain progressive positions during her political career that have generated controversy among sectors with other types of ideology. According to information from EFE, AFP and other media, these have been some of her actions and points of view that have caused controversy:
- As a prosecutor, he opposed the use of body cameras by police officers and the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes, although he has since changed his position on the latter issue.
- She has described herself as a “progressive prosecutor.” According to U.S. media, she has pushed for left-wing measures regarding gay marriage and the death penalty.
- While he was running for vice president, the right was claiming that it could be “the worst vice presidential pick in U.S. history.”
- Other international media reported that he had been shifting his stance for some time on the implementation of universal health insurance in the US.
To date, she is recognized as a pioneer in her current role and has the support of the current US president to be his next Democratic successor.
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