Kamala Harris#Early life and education

{{Main|Early life and career of Kamala Harris}}

File:Kamala Harris - Berkeley childhood home.jpg, August 2020|left]]

{{Kamala Harris series}}

Kamala Devi Harris{{efn|name=fn1|Harris was originally named Kamala Iyer Harris by her parents, who two weeks later filed an affidavit by which her middle name was changed to Devi.{{cite news |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/08/18/heres-kamala-harris-birth-certificate-end-of-debate/ |first=David |last=Debolt |date=August 18, 2020 |title=Here's Kamala Harris' birth certificate. Scholars say there's no VP eligibility debate |newspaper=The Mercury News |access-date=November 27, 2021 |archive-date=February 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217084253/https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/08/18/heres-kamala-harris-birth-certificate-end-of-debate/ |url-status=live}}}} was born in Oakland, California,{{cite web |last1=Kim |first1=Catherin |last2=Stanton |first2=Zack |date=August 11, 2020 |title=55 Things You Need to Know About Kamala Harris |url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/08/11/kamala-harris-vp-background-bio-biden-running-mate-2020-393885 |access-date=August 23, 2020 |website=Politico |archive-date=August 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822230300/https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/08/11/kamala-harris-vp-background-bio-biden-running-mate-2020-393885 |url-status=live}} on October 20, 1964.{{congbio| id=H001075|access-date=May 20, 2020|inline=YES}} Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan (1938–2009), was a Tamil biologist who arrived in the United States from India in 1958 to enroll in graduate school in endocrinology at the University of California, Berkeley. A research career of over 40 years followed, during which her work on the progesterone receptor gene led to advances in breast cancer research.{{cite web |date=June 21, 2009 |title=In Memoriam: Dr. Shyamala G. Harris |url=https://bcaction.org/2009/06/21/in-memoriam-dr-shyamala-g-harris/ |access-date=January 23, 2019 |website=Breast Cancer Action |archive-date=January 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123121324/https://bcaction.org/2009/06/21/in-memoriam-dr-shyamala-g-harris/ |url-status=live}} Kamala's father, Donald J. Harris (1938–),{{cite book |first=Kamala |last=Harris |title=The Truths We Hold: An American Journey |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vUFkDwAAQBAJ |year=2019 |publisher=Penguin Publishing Group |isbn=978-0-525-56072-2 |pages=[https://books.google.com/books?id=vUFkDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA320 320], [https://books.google.com/books?id=vUFkDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA330 330] |quote=my paternal grandfather, Oscar Joseph ... my paternal grandmother, Beryl |access-date=April 17, 2023 |archive-date=March 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303000912/https://books.google.com/books?id=vUFkDwAAQBAJ |url-status=live}} is an Afro-Jamaican who immigrated to the United States in 1961 and also enrolled in UC Berkeley, specializing in development economics. The first Black scholar to be granted tenure at Stanford University's economics department, he has emeritus status there.{{Cite news |last=Barry |first=Ellen |date=November 7, 2020 |title=Kamala Harris's Father, a Footnote in Her Speeches, Is a Prominent Economist |url=https://www.nytimes.com/article/kamala-harris-dad-don-harris.html |access-date=July 22, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=July 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240722141019/https://www.nytimes.com/article/kamala-harris-dad-don-harris.html |url-status=live}} Kamala's parents met in 1962 and married in 1963.{{Cite news |last=Barry |first=Ellen |date=September 13, 2020 |title=How Kamala Harris's Immigrant Parents Found a Home, and Each Other, in a Black Study Group |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/13/us/kamala-harris-parents.html |access-date=August 31, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=August 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827000000/https://web.archive.org/web/20240827041642/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/13/us/kamala-harris-parents.html |url-status=live}}

The Harris family lived in Berkeley until they moved in 1966, around Kamala's second birthday. The Harrises lived for a few years in college towns in the Midwest where her parents held teaching or research positions: Urbana, Illinois (where her sister Maya was born in 1966); Evanston, Illinois; and Madison, Wisconsin.{{efn|The schools were University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; Northwestern University, Evanston; and University of Wisconsin, Madison.}}{{cite news |last=Kacich |first=Tom |title=Tom's #Mailbag, Aug. 2, 2019 |url=https://www.news-gazette.com/news/toms-mailbag-aug-2-2019/article_2e901c56-67e8-54d6-a2b4-aa2f087d225f.html |work=The News-Gazette |date=August 2, 2019 |access-date=August 19, 2022 |archive-date=August 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220825213212/https://www.news-gazette.com/news/toms-mailbag-aug-2-2019/article_2e901c56-67e8-54d6-a2b4-aa2f087d225f.html |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Dinkelspiel |first=Frances |author-link=Frances Dinkelspiel |title=Update: Change in Berkeley law not needed to landmark the childhood home of Kamala Harris |url=https://www.berkeleyside.org/2021/03/08/no-changes-needed-in-berkeley-to-landmark-the-childhood-home-of-kamala-harris |website=Berkeleyside |date=March 8, 2021 |access-date=August 19, 2022 |archive-date=August 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819233234/https://www.berkeleyside.org/2021/03/08/no-changes-needed-in-berkeley-to-landmark-the-childhood-home-of-kamala-harris |url-status=live}}{{cite magazine |title=Kamala Harris Makes Her Case |first=Dana |last=Goodyear |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/07/22/kamala-harris-makes-her-case |magazine=The New Yorker |access-date=August 19, 2022 |date=July 15, 2019 |archive-date=November 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118140540/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/07/22/kamala-harris-makes-her-case |url-status=live |quote=Growing up, Harris was surrounded by African-American intellectuals and activists. One of her mother's closest friends was Mary Lewis, who helped found the field of black studies, at San Francisco State.}} By 1970, the marriage had faltered, and Shyamala moved back to Berkeley with her two daughters;{{cite news |last=Horwitz |first=Sari |date=February 27, 2012 |title=Justice Dept. lawyer Tony West to take over as acting associate attorney general |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/justice-dept-lawyer-tony-west-to-take-over-as-acting-associate-attorney-general/2012/02/24/gIQAqyBOeR_story.html |access-date=August 23, 2020 |archive-date=July 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708054021/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/justice-dept-lawyer-tony-west-to-take-over-as-acting-associate-attorney-general/2012/02/24/gIQAqyBOeR_story.html |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Martinez |first=Michael |date=October 23, 2010 |title=A 'Female Obama' seeks California attorney general post |publisher=CNN |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/10/22/california.kamala.harris.profile/ |access-date=January 22, 2014 |archive-date=November 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116111208/https://edition.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/10/22/california.kamala.harris.profile/ |url-status=live}} the couple divorced when Kamala was seven. In 1972, Donald Harris accepted a position at Stanford University; Kamala and Maya spent weekends at their father's house in Palo Alto and lived at their mother's house in Berkeley during the week.{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=George Fabe |title=Where did Kamala Harris grow up? A timeline |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/08/23/where-did-kamala-harris-grow-up/74921659007/ |access-date=August 27, 2024 |website=USA Today |language=en-US |archive-date=August 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826211303/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/08/23/where-did-kamala-harris-grow-up/74921659007/ |url-status=live}} Shyamala was friends with African-American intellectuals and activists in Oakland and Berkeley. In 1976, she accepted a research position at the McGill University School of Medicine, and moved with her daughters to Montreal, Quebec.{{cite news |first=Sam |last=Whiting |url=https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Kamala-Harris-grew-up-idolizing-lawyers-3232851.php |title=Kamala Harris grew up idolizing lawyers |work=San Francisco Chronicle |date=May 14, 2009 |access-date=January 11, 2014 |archive-date=March 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301010320/https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Kamala-Harris-grew-up-idolizing-lawyers-3232851.php |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=When your best friend from high school winds up in the White House |website=JGH News |date=November 2020 |url=https://jghnews.ciussswestcentral.ca/when-your-best-friend-from-high-school-winds-up-in-the-white-house/ |access-date=April 28, 2024 |archive-date=April 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240428005842/https://jghnews.ciussswestcentral.ca/when-your-best-friend-from-high-school-winds-up-in-the-white-house/ |url-status=live}} Kamala graduated from Westmount High School on Montreal Island in 1981.{{cite news |last=Dale |first=Daniel |title=U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris' classmates from her Canadian high school cheer her potential run for president |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2018/12/29/kamala-harriss-classmates-from-her-canadian-high-school-cheer-her-campaign-for-us-president.html |website=Toronto Star |date=December 29, 2018 |access-date=July 1, 2019 |archive-date=September 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914123459/https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2018/12/29/kamala-harriss-classmates-from-her-canadian-high-school-cheer-her-campaign-for-us-president.html |url-status=live}}

Kamala Harris attended Vanier College in Montreal in 1981–1982;{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=Mike |date=January 20, 2021 |title=Kamala Harris now remembered for her Vanier roots |url=https://www.thesuburban.com/columnists/mike_cohen_cohen_chatter/kamala-harris-now-remembered-for-her-vanier-roots/article_7f344a74-971f-569b-8566-c4c68e8f1c51.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304040451/https://www.thesuburban.com/columnists/mike_cohen_cohen_chatter/kamala-harris-now-remembered-for-her-vanier-roots/article_7f344a74-971f-569b-8566-c4c68e8f1c51.html |archive-date=March 4, 2021 |access-date=July 21, 2024 |website=The Suburban Newspaper}} she then attended Howard University, a historically black university in Washington, D.C.{{cite news |last=Givhan |first=Robin |date=September 16, 2019 |title=Kamala Harris grew up in a mostly white world. She then went to a black university in a black city. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/09/16/kamala-harris-grew-up-mostly-white-world-then-she-went-black-university-black-city |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610045040/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/09/16/kamala-harris-grew-up-mostly-white-world-then-she-went-black-university-black-city/ |archive-date=June 10, 2021 |access-date=August 15, 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.washingtonian.com/2020/08/17/kamala-harris-is-no-dc-newcomer-what-has-her-life-looked-like-here-so-far/ |title=Kamala Harris Is No DC Newcomer. What Has Her Life Looked Like Here So Far? |first=Mimi |last=Montgomery |date=August 17, 2020 |website=Washingtonian |access-date=July 25, 2024 |archive-date=October 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002190338/https://www.washingtonian.com/2020/08/17/kamala-harris-is-no-dc-newcomer-what-has-her-life-looked-like-here-so-far/ |url-status=live}} At Howard, she became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, one of the "Divine Nine" historically black sororities.{{Cite magazine |last=Weissman |first=Sara |title=Black Sororities, Fraternities 'Organizing Like Never Before' |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/government/politics-elections/2024/07/30/black-sorority-fraternity-members-mobilize-harris |date=July 30, 2024 |magazine=Inside Higher Education |access-date=August 30, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=August 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827201217/https://www.insidehighered.com/news/government/politics-elections/2024/07/30/black-sorority-fraternity-members-mobilize-harris |url-status=live}} She graduated in 1986 with a degree in political science and economics.{{cite web |last1=Holmes |first1=Tamara |title=Raising Up Kamala |url=https://magazine.howard.edu/stories/raising-up-kamala |website=Howard Magazine |access-date=October 17, 2024 |archive-date=May 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520192839/https://magazine.howard.edu/stories/raising-up-kamala |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Rosalsky |first1=Greg |title=Where Kamala Harris Studied Economics |work=NPR |date=6 October 2020 |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2020/10/06/920350374/where-kamala-harris-studied-economics |access-date=October 17, 2024 |archive-date=October 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007145622/https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2020/10/06/920350374/where-kamala-harris-studied-economics |url-status=live}} Harris then attended the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco,{{cite news |title=LEOP: Opening Doors for Students of Promise |url=https://www.uchastings.edu/2018/08/14/uc-hastings-2018-magazine-preview-opening-doors-for-students-of-promise/ |access-date=August 13, 2020 |work=UC Hastings Magazine |date=August 14, 2018 |archive-date=September 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925110005/https://www.uchastings.edu/2018/08/14/uc-hastings-2018-magazine-preview-opening-doors-for-students-of-promise/ |url-status=live}} where she served as president of its chapter of the Black Law Students Association.{{cite web |title=UC Hastings Congratulates Kamala Harris '89: California's next U.S. Senator |url=https://www.uclawsf.edu/2016/11/09/uc-hastings-congratulates-kamala-harris-89-californias-next-u-s-senator/ |website=UC Hastings Law |location=San Francisco |date=November 9, 2016 |access-date=August 13, 2020 |archive-date=January 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109130656/https://www.uchastings.edu/2016/11/09/uc-hastings-congratulates-kamala-harris-89-californias-next-u-s-senator/ |url-status=live}} She graduated with a Juris Doctor in 1989.{{cite news |title=Kamala Harris '89 Wins Race for California Attorney General |publisher=UC Hastings News Room |date=November 24, 2010 |url=https://www.uchastings.edu/media-and-news/news/2010/11/kamala-harris.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130223928/https://uchastings.edu/media-and-news/news/2010/11/kamala-harris.html |archive-date=November 30, 2010 |access-date=February 2, 2011}}

In 1990, Harris was hired as a deputy district attorney in Alameda County, California, where she was described as "an able prosecutor on the way up". In 1994, Speaker of the California Assembly Willie Brown, who was then dating Harris, appointed her to the state Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board and later to the California Medical Assistance Commission.{{cite news |last=Morain |first=Dan |title=2 More Brown Associates Get Well-Paid Posts: Government: The Speaker appoints his frequent companion and a longtime friend to state boards as his hold on his own powerful position wanes. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-11-29-mn-2787-story.html |access-date=July 4, 2020 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=November 29, 1994 |ref=latimes-brown-harris |archive-date=June 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617210000/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-11-29-mn-2787-story.html |url-status=live}} In February 1998, San Francisco district attorney Terence Hallinan recruited Harris as an assistant district attorney.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29091340/sf-examiner-feb-03-1998/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422133402/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29091340/sf-examiner-feb-03-1998/ |url-status=live |title=DA Names New Head of Career Crime Unit |work=The San Francisco Examiner |date=February 3, 1998 |archive-date=April 22, 2020}} There, she became the chief of the Career Criminal Division, supervising five other attorneys, where she prosecuted homicide, burglary, robbery, and sexual assault cases—particularly three-strikes cases. In August 2000, Harris took a job at San Francisco City Hall, working for city attorney Louise Renne.{{cite web |url=https://www.womensradio.com/articles/This-DA-Makes-a-Difference-for-Women/559.html |title=Women's Radio: This DA Makes a Difference For Women |first=Pat |last=Lynch |publisher=Womensradio.com |access-date=November 18, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101219095441/https://www.womensradio.com/articles/This-DA-Makes-a-Difference-for-Women/559.html |archive-date=December 19, 2010}} Harris ran the Family and Children's Services Division, representing child abuse and neglect cases. Renne endorsed Harris during her D.A. campaign.{{cite news |last=Byrne |first=Peter |date=September 24, 2003 |title=Kamala's Karma |url=https://www.sfweekly.com/news/kamalas-karma/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213202115/https://www.sfweekly.com/news/kamalas-karma/ |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=July 4, 2020 |newspaper=San Francisco Weekly}}

File:Congresswoman Pelosi meets San Francisco's District Attorney, Kamala Harris; March 30, 2004 (cropped).jpg Nancy Pelosi in March 2004]]

In 2002, Harris ran for district attorney of San Francisco,{{cite news |last=Kruse |first=Michael |date=August 9, 2019 |title=How San Francisco's Wealthiest Families Launched Kamala Harris |work=Politico |url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/08/09/kamala-harris-2020-president-profile-san-francisco-elite-227611/ |access-date=August 9, 2019 |archive-date=November 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128184615/https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/08/09/kamala-harris-2020-president-profile-san-francisco-elite-227611 |url-status=live}} running a "forceful" campaign{{cite news |first=Adriel |last=Hampton |title=Harris stumps in the Sunset |work=The San Francisco Examiner |date=July 28, 2003}}{{cite news |last1=Dineen |first1=J.K. |last2=Hampton |first2=Adriel |date=December 9, 2003 |title=Clinton Tops List of Celebrity Supporters |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner/152837956/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241007052258/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner/152837956/ |archive-date=October 7, 2024 |access-date=October 7, 2024 |work=The San Francisco Examiner |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com}} and differentiating herself from Hallinan by attacking his performance.{{cite news |first1=Demian |last1=Bulwa |url=https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Harris-puts-D-A-on-trial-Performance-not-2525471.php |title=Harris puts D.A. on trial / Performance, not philosophy, an issue |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |date=December 6, 2003 |access-date=May 6, 2020 |archive-date=January 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128030109/https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Harris-puts-D-A-on-trial-Performance-not-2525471.php |url-status=live}} Harris won the election with 56% of the vote, becoming the first person of color elected district attorney of San Francisco.{{cite news |first=Kate |last=Zernike |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/11/us/kamala-harris-progressive-prosecutor.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190211111631/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/11/us/kamala-harris-progressive-prosecutor.html |archive-date=February 11, 2019 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title='Progressive Prosecutor': Can Kamala Harris Square the Circle? |newspaper=The New York Times |date=February 11, 2019}} She ran unopposed for a second term in 2007.{{cite news |first=Heather |last=Knight |title=Kamala Harris celebrates unopposed bid for district attorney |url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Kamala-Harris-celebrates-unopposed-bid-for-3301780.php |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |date=November 7, 2007 |access-date=February 2, 2011 |archive-date=January 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140111042848/https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Kamala-Harris-celebrates-unopposed-bid-for-3301780.php |url-status=live}}

Within the first six months of taking office, Harris cleared 27 of 74 backlogged homicide cases.{{cite news |last=Soltau |first=Alison |date=July 21, 2004 |title=New DA claims higher success rate vs. violent felons |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-comparing-das/156116510/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241006153951/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-comparing-das/156116510/ |archive-date=October 6, 2024 |access-date=October 6, 2024 |newspaper=San Francisco Examiner |page=4}} She also pushed for higher bail for criminal defendants involved in gun-related crimes, arguing that historically low bail encouraged outsiders to commit crimes in San Francisco. SFPD officers credited Harris with tightening the loopholes defendants had used in the past.{{cite news |first=Jaxon |last=Van Derbeken |url=https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Trials-and-tribulations-of-Kamala-Harris-D-A-2521498.php |title=Trials and tribulations of Kamala Harris, D.A. / 2 years into term, prosecutor, police have their differences |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |date=March 20, 2006 |access-date=March 9, 2019 |archive-date=March 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190305182146/https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Trials-and-tribulations-of-Kamala-Harris-D-A-2521498.php |url-status=live}} During her campaign, Harris pledged never to seek the death penalty,{{cite news |last1=VanDerbeken |first1=Jaxson |date=January 9, 2004 |title=New D.A. promises to be 'smart on crime' / Harris speaks well of Hallinan, will continue some of his policies |url=https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/New-D-A-promises-to-be-smart-on-crime-Harris-2831205.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017095119/https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/New-D-A-promises-to-be-smart-on-crime-Harris-2831205.php |archive-date=October 17, 2020 |access-date=May 10, 2020 |work=San Francisco Chronicle}} and kept to this in the cases of a San Francisco Police Department officer, Isaac Espinoza, who was shot and killed in 2004,{{cite web |url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/matier-ross/article/Feinstein-s-surprise-call-for-death-penalty-puts-3313728.php |first1=Phillip |last1=Matier |first2=Andrew |last2=Ross |title=Feinstein's surprise call for death penalty puts D.A. on spot |website=San Francisco Chronicle |date=April 21, 2004 |access-date=May 3, 2020 |archive-date=April 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425062908/https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/matier-ross/article/Feinstein-s-surprise-call-for-death-penalty-puts-3313728.php |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/matier-ross/article/Sen-Boxer-joins-throng-calling-for-death-in-3324378.php |first1=Phillip |last1=Matier |first2=Andrew |last2=Ross |title=Sen. Boxer joins throng calling for death in killing of cop |website=San Francisco Chronicle |date=May 5, 2004 |access-date=May 3, 2020 |archive-date=February 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218193324/https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/matier-ross/article/Sen-Boxer-joins-throng-calling-for-death-in-3324378.php |url-status=live}} and of Edwin Ramos, an illegal immigrant and alleged MS-13 gang member who was accused of murdering a man and his two sons in 2009.{{cite news |last=Van Derbeken |first=Jaxon |url=https://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/Edwin-Ramos-won-t-face-death-penalty-3218429.php |title=Edwin Ramos won't face death penalty |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |date=September 11, 2009 |access-date=April 22, 2020 |archive-date=June 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608223144/https://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/Edwin-Ramos-won-t-face-death-penalty-3218429.php |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Newsom-backs-Harris-decision-3286455.php |first1=Heather |last1=Knight |first2=Marisa |last2=Lagos |title=Newsom backs Harris' decision |date=September 16, 2009 |work=San Francisco Chronicle |access-date=October 20, 2009 |archive-date=November 3, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103205814/https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Newsom-backs-Harris-decision-3286455.php |url-status=live}}

File:Kamala Harris with Barack Obama 2009-11-25.jpg in the Oval Office, November 2009]]

Harris created a Hate Crimes Unit, focusing on hate crimes against LGBT children and teens in schools,{{cite web |title=Marriage Equality |url=https://kamalaharris.org/MarriageEquality |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125112342/https://kamalaharris.org/MarriageEquality |archive-date=November 25, 2010 |access-date=November 18, 2010 |publisher=Kamalaharris.org}} and supported A.B. 1160, the Gwen Araujo Justice for Victims Act.{{cite web |date=September 28, 2006 |title=Gwen Araujo Justice for Victims Act |url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=200520060AB1160 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623100157/https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=200520060AB1160 |archive-date=June 23, 2015 |access-date=June 23, 2015 |website=California Legislative Information}} As district attorney, she created an environmental crimes unit in 2005.{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Jason B. |date=June 1, 2005 |title=D.A. creates environmental unit: 3-staff team takes on crime mostly affecting the poor |url=https://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/SAN-FRANCISCO-D-A-creates-environmental-unit-2666667.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422163016/https://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/SAN-FRANCISCO-D-A-creates-environmental-unit-2666667.php |archive-date=April 22, 2020 |access-date=May 4, 2020 |work=San Francisco Chronicle}} Harris expressed support for San Francisco's sanctuary city policy of not inquiring about immigration status in the process of a criminal investigation.{{Cite news |last=McKinley |first=Jesse |date=November 12, 2006 |title=Immigrant Protection Rules Draw Fire |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/12/us/12sanctuary.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120625035600/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/12/us/12sanctuary.html |archive-date=June 25, 2012 |access-date=October 28, 2010 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}} In 2004, she created the San Francisco Reentry Division.{{cite news |access-date=August 12, 2020 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jan/21/kamala-harris-2020-president-election-run-meteoric-rise |work=The Guardian |date=January 21, 2019 |title='Nobody works harder': insiders recall Kamala Harris's meteoric rise |first=Vivian |last=Ho |archive-date=September 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910155940/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jan/21/kamala-harris-2020-president-election-run-meteoric-rise |url-status=live}} Over six years, the 200 people graduated from the program had a recidivism rate of less than 10%, compared to the 53% of California's drug offenders who returned to prison within two years of release.{{cite news |first=Alison |last=Knezevich |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-mosby-new-program-20150514-story.html |title=Mosby: New program gives nonviolent offenders a second chance |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=May 14, 2015 |access-date=May 3, 2020 |archive-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005074323/https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-mosby-new-program-20150514-story.html |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://phlcouncil.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Pre-Trial-Diversion.Philadelphia.pdf |title=Preventing Future Crime and Preserving Judicial Resources Through Non-Traditional Prosecution |date=September 2016 |publisher=Philadelphia District Attorney's Office |access-date=May 3, 2020 |archive-date=November 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107233543/https://phlcouncil.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Pre-Trial-Diversion.Philadelphia.pdf |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.cbs46.com/news/jail-to-jobs-mayor-bottoms-announces-new-reentry-program/article_6e6caccf-6479-5f52-a451-db7d59adb70c.html |title=Jail to jobs, Mayor Bottoms announces new reentry program |first=Keith |last=Whitney |date=April 11, 2018 |publisher=WGCL-TV |access-date=May 3, 2020 |archive-date=June 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608223142/https://www.cbs46.com/news/jail-to-jobs-mayor-bottoms-announces-new-reentry-program/article_6e6caccf-6479-5f52-a451-db7d59adb70c.html }}

In 2006, as part of an initiative to reduce the city's homicide rate, Harris led a citywide effort to combat truancy for at-risk elementary school youth in San Francisco.{{cite news |first=Heather |last=Knight |title=City opens campaign to cut truancy by thousands of students |url=https://www.sfgate.com/education/*article/SAN-FRANCISCO-Drive-to-keep-kids-in-school-2680486.php |access-date=May 1, 2020 |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |date=October 19, 2004 |archive-date=October 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006120353/https://www.sfgate.com/education/article/SAN-FRANCISCO-Drive-to-keep-kids-in-school-2680486.php |url-status=live}} In 2008, declaring chronic truancy a matter of public safety and pointing out that the majority of prison inmates and homicide victims are dropouts or habitual truants,{{cite news |first=Heather |last=Knight |title=City trying to get worst truants to school. Help for students, criminal prosecution part of crackdown |url=https://www.sfgate.com/education/article/SAN-FRANCISCO-City-trying-to-get-worst-truants-2469689.php |access-date=May 1, 2020 |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |date=September 14, 2006 |archive-date=August 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820180349/https://www.sfgate.com/education/article/SAN-FRANCISCO-City-trying-to-get-worst-truants-2469689.php |url-status=live}} she issued citations against six parents whose children missed at least 50 days of school, the first time San Francisco prosecuted adults for student truancy.{{cite news |first=Nanette |last=Asimov |title=Citations go to parents of truant kids |url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/S-F-cites-parents-of-chronically-truant-kids-3209547.php |access-date=May 2, 2020 |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |date=June 11, 2008 |archive-date=August 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812201245/https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/S-F-cites-parents-of-chronically-truant-kids-3209547.php |url-status=live}} Harris's office ultimately prosecuted seven parents in three years, with none jailed. By April 2009, 1,330 elementary school students were habitual or chronic truants, down 23% from 1,730 in 2008, and from 2,517 in 2007 and 2,856 in 2006.{{cite news |title=Fighting truancy yields big dividends |url=https://www.sfgate.com/opinion/article/Fighting-truancy-yields-big-dividends-3295152.php |access-date=May 2, 2020 |work=San Francisco Chronicle |date=June 14, 2009 |archive-date=June 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608223146/https://www.sfgate.com/opinion/article/Fighting-truancy-yields-big-dividends-3295152.php |url-status=live}}

{{Main|Kamala Harris as Attorney General of California}}

File:Kamala Harris Official Attorney General Photo.jpg

Harris was elected attorney general of California in 2010, becoming the first woman, African American, and South Asian American to hold the office in the state's history.{{citation |last=Bacerra |first=Xavier |title=Kamala D. Harris Takes Oath as California Attorney General |date=January 3, 2011 |url=https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/kamala-d-harris-takes-oath-california-attorney-general |access-date=August 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929161259/https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/kamala-d-harris-takes-oath-california-attorney-general |archive-date=September 29, 2020 |url-status=live |publisher=State of California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General |quote=Harris is the first woman, and the first African American and the first South Asian American, to hold the office of Attorney General in the history of California}} She took office on January 3, 2011, and was reelected in 2014.{{cite news |last=Reilly |first=Mollie |date=November 5, 2014 |title=Kamala Harris Re-Elected As California Attorney General |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/05/kamala-harris-election-results_n_5819890.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525071358/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/05/kamala-harris-election-results_n_5819890.html |archive-date=May 25, 2017 |access-date=August 19, 2020 |work=HuffPost}} She served until resigning on January 3, 2017, to take her seat in the United States Senate.

In 2010, Harris announced her candidacy for attorney general and was endorsed by prominent California Democrats, including U.S. senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer and House speaker Nancy Pelosi.{{cite news |last=Rizo |first=Chris |date=April 16, 2010 |title=Villaraigosa eschews local candidates, backs Harris for Calif. attorney general |url=https://www.legalnewsline.com/news/226664-villaraigosa-eschews-local-candidates-backs-harris-for-calif.-attorney-general |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723184208/https://www.legalnewsline.com/news/226664-villaraigosa-eschews-local-candidates-backs-harris-for-calif.-attorney-general |archive-date=July 23, 2011 |access-date=August 20, 2010 |newspaper=Legal Newsline}} She won the Democratic primary and narrowly defeated Republican nominee Steve Cooley in the general election.{{cite news |last=Leonard |first=Jack |date=November 24, 2010 |title=Kamala Harris wins attorney general's race as Steve Cooley concedes |url=https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/11/steve-cooley-kamala-harris-attorney-general.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802190612/https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/11/steve-cooley-kamala-harris-attorney-general.html |archive-date=August 2, 2020 |access-date=August 19, 2020 |work=Los Angeles Times}} Her tenure was marked by significant efforts in consumer protection, criminal justice reform, and privacy rights.

In 2014, Harris was reelected, defeating Republican nominee Ronald Gold with 58% of the vote. Her future opponent in the 2024 United States presidential election, Donald Trump, made two contributions to her reelection campaign totaling $6,000. In 2015, she donated Trump's contributions to a "nonprofit that advocates for civil and human rights for Central Americans."{{cite news|title=Donald Trump has donated to Kamala Harris twice, but she didn't keep the money|url=https://www.npr.org/2024/07/22/g-s1-12696/kamala-harris-donation-trump-election|date=July 22, 2024|publisher=National Public Radio| first=Rachel| last=Treisman}}{{efn|Trump's daughter Ivanka also contributed $2,000 to Harris's reelection campaign, but no mention was made of whether Ivanka's contribution was also donated to a nonprofit organization.}}

During her second term, Harris expanded her focus on consumer protection, recovering billions for California consumers by securing major settlements against corporations like Quest Diagnostics,{{cite web |last=Lifsher |first=Marc |date=May 20, 2011 |title=Quest Diagnostics settles Medi-Cal whistleblower suit |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-xpm-2011-may-20-la-fi-quest-settlement-20110520-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608223143/https://www.latimes.com/business/la-xpm-2011-may-20-la-fi-quest-settlement-20110520-story.html |archive-date=June 8, 2020 |access-date=May 11, 2020 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}} JPMorgan Chase,{{cite news |last1=Parker |first1=Barbara |last2=Kaplan |first2=Rebecca |date=March 5, 2012 |title=Kamala Harris' foreclosure deal a win for state |url=https://www.sfgate.com/opinion/openforum/article/Kamala-Harris-foreclosure-deal-a-win-for-state-3381270.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106225939/https://www.sfgate.com/opinion/openforum/article/Kamala-Harris-foreclosure-deal-a-win-for-state-3381270.php |archive-date=November 6, 2012 |access-date=June 18, 2012 |work=San Francisco Chronicle}} and Corinthian Colleges.{{cite web |date=October 10, 2013 |title=California lawsuit claims for-profit colleges misled students, investors |url=https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/article2579497.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115203603/https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/article2579497.html |archive-date=November 15, 2019 |access-date=April 28, 2020 |work=The Sacramento Bee}}{{cite web |date=March 23, 2016 |title=Corinthian Colleges must pay nearly $1.2 billion for false advertising and lending practices |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-corinthian-colleges-judgment-false-advertising-20160323-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609164838/https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-corinthian-colleges-judgment-false-advertising-20160323-story.html |archive-date=June 9, 2020 |access-date=April 28, 2020 |work=Los Angeles Times}} She spearheaded the creation of the Homeowner Bill of Rights to combat aggressive foreclosure practices during the housing crisis, recording multiple nine-figure settlements against mortgage servicers.{{cite web |date=July 30, 2012 |title=Calif. attorney general Kamala Harris fights for struggling homeowners |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/calif-attorney-general-kamala-harris-fights-for-struggling-homeowners/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608223141/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/calif-attorney-general-kamala-harris-fights-for-struggling-homeowners/ |archive-date=June 8, 2020 |access-date=June 18, 2012 |publisher=CBS News}}{{cite web |date=July 12, 2012 |title=Gov. Brown signs Homeowner Bill of Rights |url=https://abc7news.com/archive/8732388https:// |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608223143/https://abc7news.com/archive/8732388https:// |archive-date=June 8, 2020 |access-date=May 11, 2020 |publisher=ABC 7 News}} Harris also worked on privacy rights. She collaborated with major tech companies like Apple, Google, and Facebook to ensure that mobile apps disclosed their data-sharing practices.{{cite news |last1=Guynn |first1=Jessica |last2=Olivarez-Giles |first2=Nathan |date=February 22, 2012 |title=Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris, tech giants agree on mobile app privacy |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-xpm-2012-feb-22-la-fi-tn-calif-ag-kamala-harris-agreement-with-apple-amazon-google-hp-microsoft-rim-on-app-privacy-policies-20120222-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803233743/https://www.latimes.com/business/la-xpm-2012-feb-22-la-fi-tn-calif-ag-kamala-harris-agreement-with-apple-amazon-google-hp-microsoft-rim-on-app-privacy-policies-20120222-story.html |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |access-date=August 19, 2020 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}{{cite news |last=Elinor |first=Mills |date=July 19, 2012 |title=California beefing up privacy-protection enforcement |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/california-beefing-up-privacy-protection-enforcement/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608223142/https://www.cnet.com/news/california-beefing-up-privacy-protection-enforcement/ |archive-date=June 8, 2020 |access-date=August 19, 2020 |publisher=CNET}} She created the Privacy Enforcement and Protection Unit, focusing on cyber privacy and data breaches. California secured settlements with companies like Comcast and Houzz for privacy violations.{{cite news |date=September 18, 2015 |title=Comcast agrees to pay $33 million in California privacy breach |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-comcast-california-settlement-20150918-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803233822/https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-comcast-california-settlement-20150918-story.html |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |access-date=August 19, 2020 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}{{cite news |last=Paresh |first=Dave |date=October 2, 2015 |title=Why Kamala Harris is making start-up Houzz hire a "chief privacy officer" |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-houzz-privacy-20151002-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803233837/https://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-houzz-privacy-20151002-story.html |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |access-date=August 19, 2020 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}

Harris was instrumental in advancing criminal justice reform. She launched the Division of Recidivism Reduction and Re-Entry and implemented the Back on Track LA program, which provided educational and job training opportunities for nonviolent offenders.{{cite web |last=Palta |first=Rina |date=November 20, 2013 |title=Calif. Attorney General Kamala Harris announces new division to stop ex-prisoners from committing new crimes |url=https://www.scpr.org/news/2013/11/20/40494/attorney-general-kamala-harris-announces-new-divis/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608223144/https://www.scpr.org/news/2013/11/20/40494/attorney-general-kamala-harris-announces-new-divis/ |archive-date=June 8, 2020 |access-date=May 22, 2020}}{{cite news |last=Veiga |first=Alex |date=March 11, 2015 |title=Sheriff, AG Harris Unveil Program to Curb Recidivism |url=https://scvnews.com/sheriff-ag-harris-unveil-program-to-curb-recidivism/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803011814/https://scvnews.com/sheriff-ag-harris-unveil-program-to-curb-recidivism/ |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |access-date=August 19, 2020 |agency=SCV News}} Despite her focus on reform, Harris faced criticism for defending the state's position in cases involving wrongful convictions{{cite web |last=Bazelon |first=Lara |date=December 4, 2019 |title=Kamala Harris's Criminal Justice Record Killed Her Presidential Run |url=https://theappeal.org/kamala-harris-criminal-justice-record-killed-her-presidential-run/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817223213/https://theappeal.org/kamala-harris-criminal-justice-record-killed-her-presidential-run/ |archive-date=August 17, 2020 |access-date=August 19, 2020 |work=The Appeal}} and for her office's stance on prison labor.{{cite news |last=Tolan |first=Casey |date=August 1, 2019 |title=Democratic debate: Fact-checking the attacks on Kamala Harris' criminal justice record |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/08/01/democratic-debate-kamala-harris-tulsi-gabbard-joe-biden-fact-check/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815030540/https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/08/01/democratic-debate-kamala-harris-tulsi-gabbard-joe-biden-fact-check/amp/ |archive-date=August 15, 2020 |access-date=August 19, 2020 |agency=Mercury News}}{{cite news |last=Singh |first=Lakshmi |date=November 18, 2018 |title=Serving Time And Fighting California Wildfires |url=https://www.npr.org/2018/11/18/669088658/serving-time-and-fighting-california-wildfires-for-2-a-day |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818111955/https://www.npr.org/2018/11/18/669088658/serving-time-and-fighting-california-wildfires-for-2-a-day |archive-date=August 18, 2020 |access-date=August 19, 2020 |newspaper=NPR.org |publisher=NPR}} She continued to advocate for progressive reforms, including banning the gay panic defense in California courts{{cite web |date=September 5, 2014 |title=California On Track To Become First State To Ban 'Gay Panic' Defense in Courtrooms |url=https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2014/09/05/california-on-track-to-become-first-state-to-ban-gay-panic-defense/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007065248/https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2014/09/05/california-on-track-to-become-first-state-to-ban-gay-panic-defense/ |archive-date=October 7, 2020 |access-date=August 21, 2020}}{{cite news |last=Chokshi |first=Niraj |date=September 5, 2014 |title=California could become the first state to ban the 'gay panic' defense |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2014/09/05/california-could-become-the-first-state-to-ban-the-gay-panic-defense/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815002204/https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2014/09/05/california-could-become-the-first-state-to-ban-the-gay-panic-defense/ |archive-date=August 15, 2020 |access-date=March 11, 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US}} and opposing Proposition 8, the state's same-sex marriage ban.{{cite news |last=Baume |first=Matt |date=December 2, 2010 |title=Kamala Harris Vows to Abandon Prop 8 |url=https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/harris-vows-to-abandon-prop-8/1860319/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426211608/https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/harris-vows-to-abandon-prop-8/1860319/ |archive-date=April 26, 2020 |access-date=April 29, 2020 |newspaper=NBC Bay Area |publisher=NBC News |location=San Francisco, CA}}{{cite web |date=February 27, 2013 |title=Attorney General Kamala D. Harris Files U.S. Supreme Court Brief in Support of Marriage Equality |url=https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-kamala-d-harris-files-us-supreme-court-brief-support-marriage |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803072255/https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-kamala-d-harris-files-us-supreme-court-brief-support-marriage |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |access-date=August 19, 2020 |publisher=Office of the California Attorney General}}{{cite web |last=Almendrala |first=Anna |date=June 27, 2013 |title=Kamala Harris On Prop 8 Decision: Same-Sex Marriages In California Should Begin Immediately |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kamala-harris-prop-8_n_3505292 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803093101/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kamala-harris-prop-8_n_3505292 |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |access-date=August 19, 2020 |work=HuffPost}}

{{Main|US Senate career of Kamala Harris}}

{{Main|2016 United States Senate election in California}}

File:Kamala_Harris_takes_oath_of_office_as_United_States_Senator_by_Vice_President_Joe_Biden.jpg in January 2017. At center is Harris's husband, Doug Emhoff.]]

After more than 20 years as a U.S. senator from California, Senator Barbara Boxer announced on January 13, 2015 that she would not run for reelection in 2016.{{cite news |last=Mehta |first=Seema |date=January 13, 2015 |title=Kamala Harris launches U.S. Senate bid, begins raising money |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/political/la-me-pc-harris-launches-us-senate-bid-begins-raising-money-20150113-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=January 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113200929/https://www.latimes.com/local/political/la-me-pc-harris-launches-us-senate-bid-begins-raising-money-20150113-story.html |archive-date=January 13, 2015}} Harris announced her candidacy for the Senate seat the next week. She was a top contender from the beginning of her campaign.{{cite web |last=Kane |first=Will |date=November 7, 2016 |title=Why Is the Most Groundbreaking Senate Race Ever So Uninspiring? |url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/11/2016-california-senate-harris-sanchez-jungle-open-primary-reform-214429/ |access-date=November 19, 2020 |website=Politico Magazine |archive-date=November 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118015357/https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/11/2016-california-senate-harris-sanchez-jungle-open-primary-reform-214429 |url-status=live}}

The 2016 California Senate election used California's new top-two primary format, where the top two candidates in the primary advance to the general election regardless of party. On February 27, 2016, Harris won 78% of the California Democratic Party vote at the party convention, allowing her campaign to receive financial support from the party.{{cite news |last=Cadelago |first=Christopher |date=February 27, 2016 |title=Kamala Harris receives California Democratic Party endorsement |work=The Sacramento Bee |url=https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article62985987.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215142830/https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article62985987.html |archive-date=February 15, 2019}} Three months later, Governor Jerry Brown endorsed her.{{cite news |last=Willon |first=Phil |date=May 23, 2016 |title=California Gov. Jerry Brown backs Kamala Harris for U.S. Senate |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/politics/la-pol-sac-essential-politics-jerry-brown-kamala-harris-endorsement-htmlstory.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405165645/https://www.latimes.com/local/politics/la-pol-sac-essential-politics-jerry-brown-kamala-harris-endorsement-htmlstory.html |archive-date=April 5, 2019}} In the June 7 primary, Harris came in first with 40% of the vote and won with pluralities in most counties.{{cite web |date=July 2016 |title=United States Senator (primary results) |url=https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2016-primary/75-us-senate-formatted.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190826130419/https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2016-primary/75-us-senate-formatted.pdf |archive-date=August 26, 2019 |access-date=August 19, 2020 |publisher=California Secretary of State}} Harris faced representative and fellow Democrat Loretta Sanchez in the general election.{{cite news |last=Myers |first=John |date=June 8, 2016 |title=Two Democrats will face off for California's U.S. Senate seat, marking first time a Republican will not be in contention |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-senate-primary-election-20160607-snap-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304132859/https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-senate-primary-election-20160607-snap-story.html |archive-date=March 4, 2020}}

On July 19, President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden endorsed Harris.{{cite web |last1=Willon |first1=Phil |date=July 19, 2016 |title=Obama, Biden endorse Kamala Harris for U.S. Senate |url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/essential/la-pol-sac-essential-politics-updates-obama-biden-endorse-kamala-harris-for-1468889660-htmlstory.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160719145452/https://www.latimes.com/politics/essential/la-pol-sac-essential-politics-updates-obama-biden-endorse-kamala-harris-for-1468889660-htmlstory.html |archive-date=July 19, 2016 |access-date=July 19, 2016 |website=Los Angeles Times}} In the November 2016 election, Harris defeated Sanchez with over 60% of the vote, carrying all but four counties.{{Cite news |title=Live California election results |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://graphics.latimes.com/la-na-pol-2016-election-results-california/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109220737/https://graphics.latimes.com/la-na-pol-2016-election-results-california/ |archive-date=November 9, 2016}} After her victory, she promised to protect immigrants from the policies of president-elect Donald Trump and announced her intention to remain attorney general through the end of 2016.{{cite news |last=Willon |first=Phil |date=November 10, 2016 |title=Newly elected Kamala Harris vows to defy Trump on immigration |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-senate-kamala-harris-trump-20161110-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803235607/https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-senate-kamala-harris-trump-20161110-story.html |archive-date=August 3, 2020}}{{Cite news |last=Willon |first=Phil |date=December 1, 2016 |title=Essential Politics November archives |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/essential/la-pol-ca-essential-politics-updates-kamala-harris-plans-to-keep-her-day-job-1478832067-htmlstory.html |url-status=live |access-date=December 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161217150000/https://www.latimes.com/politics/essential/la-pol-ca-essential-politics-updates-kamala-harris-plans-to-keep-her-day-job-1478832067-htmlstory.html |archive-date=December 17, 2016 |issn=0458-3035}} Harris became the second Black woman and first South Asian American senator in history.{{citation |last1=Ma |first1=Debbie S. |last2=Hohl |first2=Danita |last3=Kantner |first3=Justin |year=2021 |title=The politics of identity: The unexpected role of political orientation on racial categorization of Kamala Harris |journal=Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy |volume=21 |issue=1 |pages=99–120 |doi=10.1111/asap.12257 |quote=Harris, who has written and spoken at length about her parents' backgrounds and heritage,... On her official website, she asserts that she is 'the second African-American woman and first South Asian-American senator in history.'|doi-access=free }}{{cite web |title=Kamala D. Harris: US Senator from California |url=https://www.harris.senate.gov/about |access-date=July 29, 2020 |publisher=United States Senate |quote=In 2017, Kamala D. Harris was sworn in as a United States senator for California, the second African-American woman, and first South Asian-American senator in history. |archive-date=October 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014130548/https://www.harris.senate.gov/about }}{{cite web |last1=Weinberg |first1=Tessa |last2=Palaniappan |first2=Sruthi |date=December 3, 2019 |title=Kamala Harris: Everything you need to know about the 2020 presidential candidate |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/kamala-harris-latest-democrat-run-president/story?id=60521324 |access-date=August 10, 2020 |publisher=ABC News |quote=Harris is the daughter of an Indian mother and Jamaican father, and is the second African-American woman and first South Asian-American senator in history. |archive-date=April 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419003209/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/kamala-harris-latest-democrat-run-president/story?id=60521324 |url-status=live}}

{{See also|Political positions of Kamala Harris}}

File:Senator Harris official senate portrait.jpg

As a senator, Harris advocated stricter gun control laws,{{Cite magazine |last=Sanchez |first=Chelsey |date=January 20, 2021 |title=Here's Where Kamala Harris Stands on Gun Control |url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/politics/a34275544/kamala-harris-gun-control/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322165235/https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/politics/a34275544/kamala-harris-gun-control/ |archive-date=March 22, 2024 |access-date=March 22, 2024 |magazine=Harper's Bazaar}}{{Cite web |last=deBruyn |first=Jason |date=August 12, 2020 |title=Kamala Harris Advocated For Stricter Gun Laws As A Candidate. What About As Joe Biden's VP? |url=https://www.wunc.org/law/2020-08-12/kamala-harris-advocated-for-stricter-gun-laws-as-a-candidate-what-about-as-joe-bidens-vp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322165236/https://www.wunc.org/law/2020-08-12/kamala-harris-advocated-for-stricter-gun-laws-as-a-candidate-what-about-as-joe-bidens-vp |archive-date=March 22, 2024 |access-date=March 22, 2024 |publisher=WUNC}} the DREAM Act, federal legalization of cannabis, and healthcare and taxation reforms.{{cite web | last=Lybrand | first=Holmes | title=Kamala Harris' record on marijuana legalization | website=CNN | date=February 12, 2019 | url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/02/11/politics/kamala-harris-record-on-marijuana-legalization/index.html | access-date=February 26, 2025}}{{cite web | last=Zhou | first=Li | title=Kamala Harris's plan to provide DREAMers a pathway to citizenship, explained | website=Vox | date=June 13, 2019 | url=https://www.vox.com/2019/6/13/18663029/kamala-harris-dreamers-immigrants-citizenship | access-date=February 26, 2025}} She became well known nationally after questioning several Trump appointees such as Jeff Sessions and Brett Kavanaugh.{{cite news |last=Viser |first=Matt |date=January 21, 2019 |title=Kamala Harris enters 2020 Presidential Race |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/kamala-harris-enters-2020-presidential-race/2019/01/21/d68d15b2-0a20-11e9-a3f0-71c95106d96a_story.html |access-date=January 22, 2019 |archive-date=February 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225040147/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/kamala-harris-enters-2020-presidential-race/2019/01/21/d68d15b2-0a20-11e9-a3f0-71c95106d96a_story.html |url-status=live}}

File:Kamala_Harris_with_Dreamers_-_2017-12-06.jpg, December 2017]]

On January 28, after Trump signed Executive Order 13769, barring citizens from several Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S. for 90 days, she condemned the order and was one of many to call it a "Muslim ban".{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/01/27/politics/trump-plans-to-sign-executive-action-on-refugees-extreme-vetting/index.html |title=Trump signs executive order to keep out 'radical Islamic terrorists' |date=January 30, 2017 |first=Dan |last=Merica |access-date=August 19, 2020 |archive-date=August 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804083608/https://www.cnn.com/2017/01/27/politics/trump-plans-to-sign-executive-action-on-refugees-extreme-vetting/index.html |url-status=live}} She called White House Chief of Staff John F. Kelly at home to gather information and push back against the executive order.{{cite news |last1=Ting |first1=Eric |title=Kamala Harris says John Kelly got mad when she called him at home during the travel ban |url=https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Kamala-Harris-2020-John-Kelly-travel-ban-book-13518859.php |work=San Francisco Chronicle |date=January 8, 2019 |access-date=August 19, 2020 |archive-date=August 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802191704/https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Kamala-Harris-2020-John-Kelly-travel-ban-book-13518859.php |url-status=live}}

In February, Harris spoke in opposition to Trump's cabinet picks Betsy DeVos for secretary of education{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/essential/la-pol-ca-essential-politics-updates-201702-htmlstory.html |title=Sen. Kamala Harris speaks out against Betsy DeVos as part of Democrats' 24-hour blitz on Senate floor |date=February 6, 2017 |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=August 19, 2020 |archive-date=August 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815215602/https://www.latimes.com/politics/essential/la-pol-ca-essential-politics-updates-201702-htmlstory.html |url-status=live}} and Jeff Sessions for United States attorney general.{{cite news |url=https://newsone.com/3661775/sen-kamala-harris-will-argue-against-confirming-sessions/ |access-date=April 22, 2020 |title=Sen. Kamala Harris: 'You Deserve An Attorney General Who Recognizes The Full Human Quality Of All People' |date=February 8, 2017 |publisher=newsone.com |archive-date=June 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608223143/https://newsone.com/3661775/sen-kamala-harris-will-argue-against-confirming-sessions/ |url-status=live}} In early March, she called on Sessions to resign, after it was reported that Sessions, who had previously said he "did not have communications with the Russians", spoke twice with Russian ambassador to the United States Sergey Kislyak.{{cite news |url=https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article135980818.html |title=Kamala Harris calls on attorney general to resign over contacts with the Russians |date=March 2, 2017 |newspaper=Sacramento Bee |first=Sean |last=Cockerham |access-date=August 19, 2020 |archive-date=August 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812003300/https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article135980818.html |url-status=live}}

In April, Harris voted against the confirmation of Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court.{{cite news |last1=Adam Liptak |author-link=Adam Liptak |last2=Matt Flegenheimer |title=Neil Gorsuch Confirmed by Senate as Supreme Court Justice |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/07/us/politics/neil-gorsuch-supreme-court.html |access-date=April 15, 2017 |work=The New York Times |date=April 8, 2017 |page=A1 |archive-date=April 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190429054521/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/07/us/politics/neil-gorsuch-supreme-court.html |url-status=live}} Later that month, she took her first foreign trip to the Middle East, visiting California troops stationed in Iraq and the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan, the largest camp for Syrian refugees.{{cite news |title=Sen. Kamala Harris visits troops, refugee camp in Middle East |url=https://abc7.com/sen-kamala-harris-syria-refugees-town-hall/1885500/ |access-date=May 16, 2019 |publisher=ABC News |date=April 17, 2017 |archive-date=June 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608223142/https://abc7.com/sen-kamala-harris-syria-refugees-town-hall/1885500/ |url-status=live}}

In June, Harris garnered media attention for her questioning of Rod Rosenstein, the deputy attorney general, over the role he played in the May 2017 firing of James Comey, the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.{{cite news |last=Jalonick |first=Mary Clare |agency=Associated Press |date=June 7, 2017 |title=Harris Reminded to Be Respectful During Intel Hearing |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2017-06-07/gop-senator-admonishes-democrat-for-persistent-questioning |work=U.S. News & World Report |location=Washington, D.C. |access-date=August 19, 2020 |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803062412/https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2017-06-07/gop-senator-admonishes-democrat-for-persistent-questioning |url-status=live}} The prosecutorial nature of her questioning caused Senator John McCain, an ex officio member of the Intelligence Committee, and Senator Richard Burr, the committee chairman, to interrupt her and request that she be more respectful of the witness. A week later, she questioned Jeff Sessions, the attorney general, on the same topic.{{cite news |last=Finnegan |first=Michael |date=June 14, 2017 |title=Sen. Kamala Harris leaves Sessions 'nervous' in interrogation over his refusal to disclose conversations with Trump |url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/washington/la-na-essential-washington-updates-sen-kamala-harris-and-sessions-face-1497387259-htmlstory.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=August 19, 2020 |archive-date=July 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704034800/https://www.latimes.com/politics/washington/la-na-essential-washington-updates-sen-kamala-harris-and-sessions-face-1497387259-htmlstory.html |url-status=live}} Sessions said her questioning "makes me nervous".{{cite news |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=November 7, 2020 |title=Kamala Harris: America's first woman vice president |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20201107-kamala-harris-america-s-first-woman-vice-president |access-date=December 5, 2020 |publisher=France 24 |archive-date=November 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107213023/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20201107-kamala-harris-america-s-first-woman-vice-president |url-status=live}} Burr's singling out of Harris sparked suggestions in the news media that his behavior was sexist, with commentators arguing that Burr would not treat a male Senate colleague in a similar manner.{{cite news |last=Ansari |first=M. K. |date=June 8, 2017 |title=The Silencing Of Kamala Harris During The Senate Hearing Was Sexist: Why do people take issue when a woman asks direct questions? |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/sen-kamala-harris-shushed-women-politicians-are_us_593983bce4b094fa859f1668 |work=HuffPost |location=New York |access-date=August 19, 2020 |archive-date=October 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012045541/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/sen-kamala-harris-shushed-women-politicians-are_us_593983bce4b094fa859f1668 |url-status=live}}

In December, Harris called for the resignation of Senator Al Franken, writing on Twitter, "Sexual harassment and misconduct should not be allowed by anyone and should not occur anywhere."{{cite news |first=Casey |last=Tolan |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/12/06/kamala-harris-calls-on-al-franken-to-resign-amid-sexual-harassment-allegations/ |url-status=live |title=Harris, Feinstein call on Al Franken to resign after sexual harassment allegations |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816134028/https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/12/06/kamala-harris-calls-on-al-franken-to-resign-amid-sexual-harassment-allegations/ |archive-date=August 16, 2020 |newspaper=Mercury News |date=December 6, 2017}}

File:Kamala Harris in Selma - 2018.jpg in Selma, Alabama where she was invited to speak by John Lewis (right), January 2018{{cite news |date=March 7, 2018 |title=Lawmakers reflect on Selma beyond Bloody Sunday |publisher=WCBI |url=https://www.wcbi.com/lawmakers-reflect-on-selma-beyond-bloody-sunday/ |access-date=December 23, 2020 |archive-date=February 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218192801/https://www.wcbi.com/lawmakers-reflect-on-selma-beyond-bloody-sunday/ |url-status=live}}]]

In January, Harris was appointed to the Senate Judiciary Committee after Franken resigned.{{cite web |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2018/01/09/democrats-add-harris-booker-to-senate-judiciary-committee/ |title=Democrats add Harris, Booker to Senate Judiciary Committee |last=Weigel |first=David |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=May 12, 2020 |date=January 9, 2018 |archive-date=June 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611195000/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2018/01/09/democrats-add-harris-booker-to-senate-judiciary-committee/ |url-status=live}} Later that month, she questioned Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen for favoring Norwegian immigrants over others and for claiming to be unaware that Norway is a predominantly white country.{{cite news |url=https://qz.com/1180864/kristen-nielsen-trumps-department-of-homeland-security-chief-on-shithole-countries/ |title=Trump's DHS chief perfectly recalls his praise for Norway{{snd}}but not 'shithole' |work=Quartz |date=January 16, 2018 |first=Ana |last=Campoy |access-date=September 22, 2020 |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130043205/https://qz.com/1180864/kristen-nielsen-trumps-department-of-homeland-security-chief-on-shithole-countries/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://observer.com/2018/01/kirstjen-nielsen-trump-remark/ |title=Cory Booker and Kamala Harris Grill Kirstjen Nielsen Over Trump's Racial Remarks |first=Davis |last=Richardson |date=January 16, 2018 |work=The New York Observer |access-date=September 22, 2020 |archive-date=January 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113065516/https://observer.com/2018/01/kirstjen-nielsen-trump-remark/ |url-status=live}}

Also in January, Harris and senators Heidi Heitkamp, Jon Tester, and Claire McCaskill co-sponsored the Border and Port Security Act,{{Cite web |title=S. 2314 (IS) - Border and Port Security Act |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/BILLS-115s2314is |access-date=2025-03-17 |publisher=GovInfo |language=en}} legislation to mandate that U.S. Customs and Border Protection "hire, train and assign at least 500 officers per year until the number of needed positions the model identifies is filled" and require the commissioner of Customs and Border Protection to determine potential equipment and infrastructure improvements for ports of entry.{{cite news |url=https://www.dailyinterlake.com/local_news/20180119/tester_wants_more_border_personnel |title=Tester wants more border personnel |date=January 19, 2018 |first=Patrick |last=Reilly |work=Daily Inter Lake |access-date=September 27, 2019 |archive-date=December 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222105856/https://www.dailyinterlake.com/local_news/20180119/tester_wants_more_border_personnel }}

In May, Harris heatedly questioned Nielsen about the Trump administration family separation policy, under which children were separated from their families when their parents were taken into custody for illegally entering the U.S.{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2018/05/16/homeland-security-chief-defends-policy-separates-families-entering-u-s/614505002/ |title=Homeland Security chief defends policy that separates families entering U.S. illegally |work=USA Today |date=May 16, 2018 |access-date=July 4, 2020 |last=Bacon |first=John |archive-date=June 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609101702/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2018/05/16/homeland-security-chief-defends-policy-separates-families-entering-u-s/614505002/ |url-status=live}} In June, after visiting one of the detention facilities near the border in San Diego,{{cite news |last1=Sloss |first1=Jason |title='Utter despair': Sen. Harris visits migrant mothers separated from children in San Diego |url=https://fox5sandiego.com/2018/06/22/sen-kamala-harris-to-visit-migrant-mothers-separated-from-children-in-san-diego/ |access-date=November 9, 2018 |work=Fox 5 San Diego |date=June 22, 2018 |archive-date=November 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181110040529/https://fox5sandiego.com/2018/06/22/sen-kamala-harris-to-visit-migrant-mothers-separated-from-children-in-san-diego/ |url-status=live}} Harris became the first senator to demand Nielsen's resignation.{{cite news |last1=Byrne |first1=Trapper |title=Kamala Harris says DHS chief should resign over immigrant family separations |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/Kamala-Harris-says-DHS-chief-should-resign-over-13004563.php |access-date=May 8, 2020 |work=Advocate |date=June 18, 2018 |archive-date=June 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608223144/https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/Kamala-Harris-says-DHS-chief-should-resign-over-13004563.php |url-status=live}}

In the September and October Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation hearings, Harris questioned Brett Kavanaugh about a meeting he may have had regarding the Mueller Investigation with a member of Kasowitz Benson Torres, the law firm founded by Donald Trump's personal attorney, Marc Kasowitz. Kavanaugh was unable to answer and repeatedly deflected.{{cite news |last1=Zhou |first1=Li |title=Kamala Harris's mysterious Kasowitz question during the Kavanaugh hearings, explained |url=https://www.vox.com/2018/9/6/17826498/kamala-harris-kasowitz-question-kavanaugh-hearings |access-date=May 4, 2020 |work=Vox |date=September 6, 2018 |archive-date=June 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608223140/https://www.vox.com/2018/9/6/17826498/kamala-harris-kasowitz-question-kavanaugh-hearings |url-status=live}} Harris also participated in questioning the FBI director's limited scope of the investigation of Kavanaugh regarding allegations of sexual assault.{{cite news |last1=Ring |first1=Trudy |title=FBI Head Stonewalls as Kamala Harris Grills Him on Kavanaugh Probe |url=https://www.advocate.com/politics/2018/10/10/fbi-head-stonewalls-kamala-harris-grills-him-kavanaugh-probe |access-date=November 9, 2018 |work=Advocate |date=October 10, 2018 |archive-date=November 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181110083434/https://www.advocate.com/politics/2018/10/10/fbi-head-stonewalls-kamala-harris-grills-him-kavanaugh-probe |url-status=live}} She voted against his confirmation.

Harris was a target of the October 2018 United States mail bombing attempts.{{cite news |last1=Stanton |first1=Sam |last2=McGough |first2=Mike |last3=Yoon-Hendricks |first3=Alex |title=Suspicious package in Sacramento addressed to Sen. Kamala Harris, sources say |url=https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article220670830.html |access-date=May 15, 2020 |work=The Sacramento Bee |date=October 26, 2018 |archive-date=June 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630131952/https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article220670830.html |url-status=live}}

In December, the Senate passed the Justice for Victims of Lynching Act (S. 3178), sponsored by Harris.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/20/us/lynching-federal-hate-crime.html |title=Senate Unanimously Passes Bill Making Lynching a Federal Crime |last=Zaveri |first=Mihir |date=December 20, 2018 |work=The New York Times |access-date=February 6, 2018 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=December 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220214541/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/20/us/lynching-federal-hate-crime.html |url-status=live}} The bill, which died in the House, would have made lynching a federal hate crime.{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/3178/ |title=S.3178 – Justice for Victims of Lynching Act of 2018, 115th Congress (2017–2018) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311171539/https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/3178 |archive-date=March 11, 2020 |website=Congress.gov|date=19 December 2018 }}

File:Kamala Harris (48390414112) (crop1).jpg parade, June 2019]]

Harris supported busing for desegregation of public schools, saying, "the schools of America are as segregated, if not more segregated, today than when I was in elementary school."{{cite news |title=Kamala Harris Calls for Federally Mandated Busing |first=John |last=McCormack |url=https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/kamala-harris-calls-for-federally-mandated-busing/ |work=National Review |date=July 1, 2019 |access-date=July 3, 2019 |archive-date=November 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107233234/https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/kamala-harris-calls-for-federally-mandated-busing/ |url-status=live}} She viewed busing as an option to be considered by school districts, rather than the responsibility of the federal government.{{cite news |title=Harris says busing should be considered, not mandated |url=https://apnews.com/article/586b1e81cb684654b0cf689b9074c1cb |first1=Alexandra |last1=Jaffe |first2=Thomas |last2=Beaumont |work=Associated Press News |date=July 3, 2019 |access-date=July 4, 2019 |archive-date=July 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704020114/https://apnews.com/586b1e81cb684654b0cf689b9074c1cb |url-status=live}}

Harris was an early co-sponsor of the Green New Deal, a plan to transition the country towards generating 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030.{{cite news |title=Kamala Harris vs. climate: Where she stands on the Green New Deal, fossil fuels and pollution |url=https://www.euronews.com/green/2024/07/22/kamala-harris-vs-climate-where-she-stands-on-the-green-new-deal-fossil-fuels-and-pollution |work=Euronews |date=July 22, 2024 |access-date=July 26, 2024 |archive-date=July 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240727004333/https://www.euronews.com/green/2024/07/22/kamala-harris-vs-climate-where-she-stands-on-the-green-new-deal-fossil-fuels-and-pollution |url-status=live}}

In March 2019, after special counsel Robert Mueller submitted his report on Russian interference in the 2016 election, Harris called for U.S. attorney general William Barr to testify before Congress in the interests of transparency.{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/2020-democrats-demand-mueller-report-be-made-public-n986511 |title='Release the report. Release the report. Release the report.' 2020 Dems demand Mueller report be made public |publisher=NBC News |date=March 22, 2019 |access-date=July 4, 2020 |last=Clark |first=Dartunorro |archive-date=May 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520161929/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/2020-democrats-demand-mueller-report-be-made-public-n986511 |url-status=live}} Two days later, Barr released a four-page "summary" of the redacted Mueller Report, which was criticized as a deliberate mischaracterization of its conclusions.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/media-beware-impeachment-hearings-will-be-the-trickiest-test-of-covering-trump/2019/11/08/1f2b0aac-0239-11ea-8501-2a7123a38c58_story.html |title=Media beware: Impeachment hearings will be the trickiest test of covering Trump |first=Margaret |last=Sullivan |date=November 10, 2019 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=November 11, 2019 |archive-date=November 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191110233140/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/media-beware-impeachment-hearings-will-be-the-trickiest-test-of-covering-trump/2019/11/08/1f2b0aac-0239-11ea-8501-2a7123a38c58_story.html |url-status=live}} Later that month, Harris was one of 12 Democratic senators led by Mazie Hirono to sign a letter questioning Barr's decision to offer "his own conclusion that the President's conduct did not amount to obstruction of justice", and called for an investigation into whether Barr's summary of the Mueller report and his statements at a news conference were misleading.{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/04/30/william-barr-investigation-mueller-1293214 |title=Senate Dems call on DOJ watchdog to investigate Barr |first=Marianne |last=Levine |date=April 30, 2019 |work=Politico |access-date=August 19, 2020 |archive-date=August 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802222637/https://www.politico.com/story/2019/04/30/william-barr-investigation-mueller-1293214 |url-status=live}}

In April 2019, Harris was one of 34 Senate Democrats and independents to write a letter urging President Trump not to cut aid to El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. The group wrote:{{Cite web |last=Frazin |first=Rachel |date=April 4, 2019 |title=More than 30 Senate Dems ask Trump to reconsider Central American aid cuts |url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/americas/437463-more-than-30-dem-sens-ask-trump-to-reconsider-cutting-foreign/ |access-date=October 12, 2024 |website=The Hill |language=en-US |archive-date=April 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404221454/https://thehill.com/policy/international/americas/437463-more-than-30-dem-sens-ask-trump-to-reconsider-cutting-foreign |url-status=live}}

{{blockquote|We encourage you to listen to members of your own Administration and reverse a decision that will damage our national security and aggravate conditions inside Central America....Since taking office, you have consistently expressed a flawed understanding of U.S. foreign assistance. It is neither charity, nor is it a gift to foreign governments. Our national security funding is specifically designed to promote American interests, enhance our collective security, and protect the safety of our citizens... By obstructing the use of [Fiscal Year 2018] national security funding and seeking to terminate similar funding from [Fiscal Year 2017], you are personally undermining efforts to promote U.S. national security and economic prosperity.}}

On May 1, 2019, Barr testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/mueller-complained-that-barrs-letter-did-not-capture-context-of-trump-probe/2019/04/30/d3c8fdb6-6b7b-11e9-a66d-a82d3f3d96d5_story.html |title=Mueller complained that Barr's letter did not capture 'context' of Trump probe |date=April 30, 2019 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=May 16, 2020 |archive-date=April 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430234349/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/mueller-complained-that-barrs-letter-did-not-capture-context-of-trump-probe/2019/04/30/d3c8fdb6-6b7b-11e9-a66d-a82d3f3d96d5_story.html |first1=Devlin |last1=Barrett |first2=Matt |last2=Zapotosky |url-status=live}} During the hearing, he remained defiant about the misrepresentations in the four-page summary he had released ahead of the full report.{{cite news |title=Barr defiant amid furor over his handling of Mueller report |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/30/politics/bill-barr-hearing-congress-senate/index.html |first=Laura |last=Jarrett |publisher=CNN |date=May 2, 2019 |access-date=August 19, 2020 |archive-date=August 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809101319/https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/30/politics/bill-barr-hearing-congress-senate/index.html |url-status=live}} When asked by Harris whether he had reviewed the underlying evidence before deciding not to charge Trump with obstruction of justice, Barr admitted that neither he, Rod Rosenstein, nor anyone in his office had reviewed the evidence supporting the report before making the charging decision.{{cite news |title=Kamala Harris Guts Barr Like a Fish, Leaves Him Flopping on the Deck |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2019/05/kamala-harris-william-barr |first=Bess |last=Levin |work=Vanity Fair |date=May 1, 2019 |access-date=August 19, 2020 |archive-date=June 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190606101726/https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2019/05/kamala-harris-william-barr |url-status=live}} Harris later called for Barr to resign, accusing him of refusing to answer her questions because he could open himself up to perjury, and saying his responses disqualified him from serving as U.S. attorney general.{{cite news |title=Kamala Harris accuses Barr of not answering her question to avoid exposure to perjury |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/02/politics/kamala-harris-bill-barr-hearing-cnntv/index.html |first=Veronica |last=Stracqualursi |publisher=CNN |date=May 2, 2019 |access-date=August 19, 2020 |archive-date=July 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730135802/https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/02/politics/kamala-harris-bill-barr-hearing-cnntv/index.html |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/dems-grill-barr-amid-reports-mueller-s-frustration-n1000546 |title=Barr defends himself amid calls for resignation, slights Mueller's 'snitty' letter |publisher=NBC News |date=May 1, 2019 |access-date=July 4, 2020 |last=Shabad |first=Rebecca |archive-date=June 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624155406/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/dems-grill-barr-amid-reports-mueller-s-frustration-n1000546 |url-status=live}} Two days later, Harris demanded again that Department of Justice inspector general Michael E. Horowitz investigate whether Barr acceded to pressure from the White House to investigate Trump's political enemies.{{cite news |title=Harris urges DOJ watchdog to probe whether Trump asked Barr to investigate 'enemies' |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/05/03/kamala-harris-barr-trump-1301502 |last=Levine |first=Marianne |work=Politico |date=May 3, 2019 |access-date=August 19, 2020 |archive-date=August 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802213443/https://www.politico.com/story/2019/05/03/kamala-harris-barr-trump-1301502 |url-status=live}}

File:Congressional Black Caucus women 2019.jpg in January 2019]]

On May 5, 2019, Harris said "voter suppression" prevented Democrats Stacey Abrams and Andrew Gillum from winning the 2018 gubernatorial elections in Georgia and Florida; Abrams lost by 55,000 votes and Gillum by 32,000. According to election law expert Richard L. Hasen, "I have seen no good evidence that the suppressive effects of strict voting and registration laws affected the outcome of the governor's races in Georgia and Florida."{{cite web |last1=Sherman |first1=Amy |title=Kamala Harris says voter suppression kept Stacey Abrams, Andrew Gillum out of office. Really? |url=https://www.politifact.com/article/2019/may/10/fact-checking-kamala-harris-claim-stacey-abrams-an/ |website=PolitiFact |access-date=September 20, 2021 |date=May 1, 2019 |archive-date=September 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921010122/https://www.politifact.com/article/2019/may/10/fact-checking-kamala-harris-claim-stacey-abrams-an/ |url-status=live}}

In July, Harris teamed with Kirsten Gillibrand to urge the Trump administration to investigate the persecution of Uyghurs in China by the Chinese Communist Party; in this question she was joined by Senator Marco Rubio.{{Cite web |date=June 30, 2020 |title=Calls for UN probe of China forced birth control on Uighurs |url=https://apnews.com/article/98f18c964e66a8682a8e257e97714fd9 |access-date=July 1, 2020 |work=Associated Press News |archive-date=December 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210173041/https://apnews.com/98f18c964e66a8682a8e257e97714fd9 |url-status=live}}

In November, Harris called for an investigation into the death of Roxsana Hernández, a transgender woman and immigrant who died in ICE custody.{{Cite press release |url=https://www.harris.senate.gov/news/press-releases/harris-and-blumenthal-demand-special-counsel-to-investigate-failure-to-preserve-evidence-within-dhs-and-ice |date=November 1, 2019 |title=Harris and Blumenthal Demand Special Counsel to Investigate Failure to Preserve Evidence Within DHS and ICE |publisher=U.S. Senator Kamala Harris of California |access-date=August 21, 2020 |archive-date=December 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218045811/https://www.harris.senate.gov/news/press-releases/harris-and-blumenthal-demand-special-counsel-to-investigate-failure-to-preserve-evidence-within-dhs-and-ice }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.glaad.org/blog/joe-biden-announces-kamala-harris-his-running-mate-here-where-she-stands-lgbtq-issues |title=Joe Biden announces Kamala Harris as his running mate. Here is where she stands on LGBTQ issues |last=Davis |first=Georgia |date=August 11, 2020 |website=GLAAD |access-date=August 21, 2020 |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115120439/https://www.glaad.org/blog/joe-biden-announces-kamala-harris-his-running-mate-here-where-she-stands-lgbtq-issues |url-status=live}}

In December, Harris led a group of Democratic senators and civil rights organizations in demanding the removal of White House senior adviser Stephen Miller after emails published by the Southern Poverty Law Center revealed frequent promotion of white nationalist literature to Breitbart website editors.{{cite news |title=Kamala Harris Leads Senators in Demanding 'Immediate Removal' Of Stephen Miller |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/stephen-miller-kamala-harris-senators-letter-white-nationalist_n_5ded8571e4b00563b8534265 |first=Christopher |last=Mathias |work=HuffPost |date=December 9, 2019 |access-date=August 19, 2020 |archive-date=August 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802214720/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/stephen-miller-kamala-harris-senators-letter-white-nationalist_n_5ded8571e4b00563b8534265 |url-status=live}}

File:Kamala_Harris_speaks_about_the_impeachment_of_Donald_Trump_2020-01-14.ogv in January 2020.|upright=.85]]

Before the opening of the impeachment trial of Donald Trump on January 16, 2020, Harris delivered remarks on the floor of the Senate, stating her views on the integrity of the American justice system and the principle that nobody, including an incumbent president, is above the law. She later asked Senate Judiciary chairman Lindsey Graham to halt all judicial nominations during the impeachment trial, to which Graham acquiesced.{{cite news |title=Senate Judiciary Pauses Nominations for Impeachment Trial (1) |url=https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/senate-judiciary-pauses-nominations-for-impeachment-trial |first=Madison |last=Adler |work=Bloomberg Law |date=January 15, 2020 |access-date=August 19, 2020 |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803014009/https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/senate-judiciary-pauses-nominations-for-impeachment-trial |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/kamala-harris-calls-for-halt-to-advancement-of-judicial-nominees-during-impeachment-proceedings |title=Sen. Kamala Harris calls for halt to advancement of judicial nominees; is it happening? |work=ABA Journal |date=January 16, 2020 |access-date=July 4, 2020 |last=Weiss |first=Debra Cassens |archive-date=July 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705080641/https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/kamala-harris-calls-for-halt-to-advancement-of-judicial-nominees-during-impeachment-proceedings |url-status=live}} Harris voted to convict Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.{{cite news |title=How senators voted on Trump's impeachment |url=https://www.politico.com/interactives/2019/trump-impeachment-vote-count-senate-results/ |work=Politico |date=February 5, 2020 |access-date=August 19, 2020 |archive-date=February 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205215232/https://www.politico.com/interactives/2019/trump-impeachment-vote-count-senate-results/ |url-status=live}}

Harris worked on bipartisan bills with Republican co-sponsors, including a bail reform bill with Rand Paul,{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/rand-paul-kamala-harris-team-reform-bail-practices-n794031 |title=Rand Paul and Kamala Harris Team Up to Reform Bail Practices |last=Hamilton |first=Dawchelle |date=September 10, 2017 |publisher=NBC News |access-date=April 27, 2019 |archive-date=March 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323081855/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/rand-paul-kamala-harris-team-reform-bail-practices-n794031 |url-status=live}} an election security bill with James Lankford,{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/03/22/election-security-bill-congress-437472 |title=Lawmakers gather behind election security bill – at last |last=Matishak |first=Martin |website=Politico |date=March 22, 2018 |access-date=April 27, 2019 |archive-date=March 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326054720/https://www.politico.com/story/2018/03/22/election-security-bill-congress-437472 |url-status=live}} and a workplace harassment bill with Lisa Murkowski.{{cite web |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/mollyhensleyclancy/kamala-harris-lisa-murkowski-sexual-harassment-nda-bill |title=Two Women Senators Will Introduce A New Bill About Workplace Harassment |last=Hensley-Clancy |first=Molly |website=BuzzFeedNews |date=June 5, 2018 |access-date=April 27, 2019 |archive-date=April 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421154604/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/mollyhensleyclancy/kamala-harris-lisa-murkowski-sexual-harassment-nda-bill |url-status=live}}

Following her election as Vice President of the United States, Harris resigned from her seat on January 18, 2021,{{cite news |title=Thank you, California. |url=https://medium.com/@SenKamalaHarris/thank-you-california-d89ff421a0a4 |last=Harris |first=Kamala |work=Medium.com |date=January 18, 2021 |access-date=December 22, 2020 |archive-date=January 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118153454/https://medium.com/@SenKamalaHarris/thank-you-california-d89ff421a0a4 |url-status=live}} before taking office on January 20; she was replaced by California secretary of state Alex Padilla.{{cite news |title=Newsom taps California election chief Padilla for US Senate |url=https://apnews.com/article/senate-elections-elections-california-alex-padilla-gavin-newsom-862028e7aef12cb995db549b7707cf7b |last=Ronayne |first=Kathleen |work=Associated Press News |date=December 22, 2020 |access-date=December 22, 2020 |archive-date=December 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222181046/https://apnews.com/article/senate-elections-elections-california-alex-padilla-gavin-newsom-862028e7aef12cb995db549b7707cf7b |url-status=live}}

While in the Senate, Harris was a member of the following committees:{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/essential/la-pol-ca-essential-politics-updates-201612-htmlstory.html |first=John |last=Myers |date=December 19, 2016 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |access-date=April 22, 2020 |title=Kamala Harris nabs national security, environment assignments in the U.S. Senate |archive-date=May 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200514012749/https://www.latimes.com/politics/essential/la-pol-ca-essential-politics-updates-201612-htmlstory.html |url-status=live}}

• Committee on the Budget
• Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
• Subcommittee on Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management
• Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management
• Select Committee on Intelligence
• Committee on the Judiciary{{cite web |url=https://www.democrats.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/schumer-announces-updated-senate-democratic-committee-memberships-for-the-115th-congress-2nd-session |title=Schumer Announces Updated Senate Democratic Committee Memberships for the 115th Congress, 2nd Session |website=democrats.senate.gov |date=January 9, 2018 |access-date=January 10, 2018 |archive-date=January 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110174605/https://www.democrats.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/schumer-announces-updated-senate-democratic-committee-memberships-for-the-115th-congress-2nd-session |url-status=live}}
• Subcommittee on the Constitution
• Subcommittee on Oversight, Agency Action, Federal Rights and Federal Courts
• Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law

• Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus{{cite web |title=Members |url=https://capac-chu.house.gov/members |publisher=Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus |access-date=May 17, 2018 |archive-date=May 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180514183102/https://capac-chu.house.gov/members |url-status=live}}
• Congressional Black Caucus{{cite web |title=Membership |url=https://cbc.house.gov/membership/ |publisher=Congressional Black Caucus |access-date=March 7, 2018 |archive-date=April 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427095736/https://cbc.house.gov/membership/ |url-status=live}}
• Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues

{{Main|Kamala Harris 2020 presidential campaign}}

File:Kamala Harris announcing her candidacy for presidency.png in Oakland, California, January 2019.]]

Harris had been considered a top contender and potential front-runner for the 2020 Democratic nomination for president.{{cite web |last=Beckett |first=Lois |title=Kamala Harris: young, black, female – and the Democrats' best bet for 2020? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/22/kamala-harris-democratic-candidate-for-2020 |website=The Guardian |access-date=July 10, 2018 |date=July 22, 2017 |archive-date=September 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921011145/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/22/kamala-harris-democratic-candidate-for-2020 |url-status=live}} In June 2018, she said she was "not ruling it out".{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/sen-kamala-harris-not-ruling-out-2020-white-house-run-n886166 |title=Sen. Kamala Harris not ruling out 2020 White House run |publisher=NBC News |date=June 24, 2018 |access-date=July 4, 2020 |last=Hunt |first=Kasie |archive-date=August 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831171024/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/sen-kamala-harris-not-ruling-out-2020-white-house-run-n886166 |url-status=live}} In July 2018, it was announced that she would publish a memoir, a sign of a possible run.{{cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/07/17/politics/kamala-harris-book-deal/index.html |title=Kamala Harris signs book deal amid 2020 speculation |first=Eric |last=Bradner |date=July 17, 2018 |access-date=October 12, 2018 |archive-date=October 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008150735/https://edition.cnn.com/2018/07/17/politics/kamala-harris-book-deal/index.html |url-status=live}} On January 21, 2019, Harris officially announced her candidacy for president of the United States in the 2020 presidential election.{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/21/politics/kamala-harris-president-2020/index.html |title=Kamala Harris to run for president in 2020 |last=Reston |first=Maeve |date=January 21, 2019 |publisher=CNN |access-date=January 21, 2019 |archive-date=January 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121145202/https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/21/politics/kamala-harris-president-2020/index.html |url-status=live}} In the first 24{{nbsp}}hours after her announcement, she tied a record set by Bernie Sanders in 2016 for the most donations raised in the day after an announcement.{{cite web |title=Kamala Harris raises $1.5 million in first 24 hours |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/01/22/kamala-harris-15-million-first-day-1119125 |access-date=May 3, 2022 |website=Politico |date=January 22, 2019 |archive-date=February 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210219221514/https://www.politico.com/story/2019/01/22/kamala-harris-15-million-first-day-1119125 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |author=David Wright |title=Kamala Harris touts $1.5 million haul in 24 hours after 2020 announcement |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/22/politics/kamala-harris-fundraising-announcement/index.html |access-date=May 3, 2022 |publisher=CNN |date=January 22, 2019 |archive-date=January 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123090522/https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/22/politics/kamala-harris-fundraising-announcement/index.html |url-status=live}} More than 20,000 people attended her campaign launch event in her hometown of Oakland, California, on January 27, according to a police estimate.{{cite news |title=Kamala Harris kicks off 2020 campaign with hometown Oakland rally |work=The Guardian |last=Beckett |first=Lois |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jan/27/kamala-harris-2020-campaign-oakland-rally-democrats |date=January 27, 2019 |access-date=July 4, 2019 |archive-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005092739/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jan/27/kamala-harris-2020-campaign-oakland-rally-democrats |url-status=live}}

During the first Democratic presidential debate in June 2019, Harris scolded former vice president Joe Biden for "hurtful" remarks he made, speaking fondly of senators who opposed integration efforts in the 1970s and working with them to oppose mandatory school bussing.{{cite news |last1=Flegenheimer |first1=Matt |last2=Burns |first2=Alexander |title=Kamala Harris Makes the Case That Joe Biden Should Pass That Torch to Her |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/27/us/politics/kamala-harris-busing-joe-biden.html |website=The New York Times |date=June 27, 2019 |access-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-date=October 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008112030/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/27/us/politics/kamala-harris-busing-joe-biden.html |url-status=live}} Harris's support rose by between six and nine points in polls after that debate.{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/01/politics/2020-democratic-candidates-poll/index.html |title=CNN Poll: Harris and Warren rise and Biden slides after first Democratic debates |date=July 1, 2019 |publisher=CNN |last=Agiesta |first=Jennifer |access-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-date=October 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010211931/https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/01/politics/2020-democratic-candidates-poll/index.html |url-status=live}} In the second debate in August, Biden and Representative Tulsi Gabbard confronted Harris over her record as attorney general.{{cite web |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/tulsi-gabbard-kamala-harris-criminal-justice-record_n_5d424340e4b0aca3411841fb |title=Tulsi Gabbard Takes Kamala Harris To Task On Marijuana Prosecution Record |first=Alanna |last=Vagianos |date=July 31, 2019 |website=HuffPost |access-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-date=October 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008025402/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/tulsi-gabbard-kamala-harris-criminal-justice-record_n_5d424340e4b0aca3411841fb |url-status=live}} The San Jose Mercury News assessed that some of Gabbard's and Biden's accusations were on point, such as blocking the DNA testing of a death row inmate, while others did not withstand scrutiny. In the immediate aftermath of the debate, Harris fell in the polls.{{cite web |url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/polls-since-the-second-debate-show-kamala-harris-slipping/ |title=Polls Since The Second Debate Show Kamala Harris Slipping |last=Silver |first=Nate |date=August 7, 2019 |website=FiveThirtyEight |access-date=August 25, 2019 |archive-date=October 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010055757/https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/polls-since-the-second-debate-show-kamala-harris-slipping/ |url-status=live}} Over the next few months her poll numbers fell to the low single digits.{{cite news |last1=Martin |first1=Jonathan |last2=Herndon |first2=Alstead W. |last3=Burns |first3=Alexander |date=November 19, 2019 |title=How Kamala Harris's Campaign Unraveled |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/29/us/politics/kamala-harris-2020.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |work=The New York Times |location=Washington, DC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627192502/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/29/us/politics/kamala-harris-2020.html |archive-date=June 27, 2022 |access-date=June 27, 2022}}{{cite news |url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/what-happened-to-the-kamala-harris-campaign/ |title=What Happened to the Kamala Harris Campaign? |last=Bacon Jr. |first=Perry |date=October 8, 2019 |work=FiveThirtyEight |access-date=December 3, 2019 |archive-date=October 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008221659/https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/what-happened-to-the-kamala-harris-campaign/ |url-status=live}} Harris faced criticism from reformers for tough-on-crime policies she pursued while she was California's attorney general.{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=Luc |date=July 24, 2024 |title=As a prosecutor, Harris mixed criminal justice reform with tough-on-crime approach |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/prosecutor-harris-mixed-criminal-justice-reform-with-tough-on-crime-approach-2024-07-23/ |work=Reuters |access-date=August 21, 2024 |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723182450/https://www.reuters.com/world/us/prosecutor-harris-mixed-criminal-justice-reform-with-tough-on-crime-approach-2024-07-23/ |url-status=live}} In 2014, she defended California's death penalty in court.{{cite web |last1=Dolan |first1=Maura |title=California AG Kamala Harris to appeal ruling against death penalty |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-death-penalty-appeal-20140821-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times |date=August 21, 2014 |access-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-date=October 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014113322/https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-death-penalty-appeal-20140821-story.html |url-status=live}}

Before and during her presidential campaign, an online informal organization using the hashtag #KHive formed to support Harris's candidacy and defend her from racist and sexist attacks.{{cite news |last=Zakrzewski |first=Cat |date=August 13, 2020 |title=Kamala Harris is already facing online attacks in her bid for the vice presidency |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/08/13/technology-202-kamala-harris-is-already-facing-online-attacks-bid-vice-presidency/ |access-date=August 15, 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post |archive-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005223031/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/08/13/technology-202-kamala-harris-is-already-facing-online-attacks-bid-vice-presidency/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Zhou |first=Li |date=July 25, 2019 |title=The #KHive, Kamala Harris's most devoted online supporters, explained |url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/7/25/20697783/khive-twitter-kamala-harris-2020-candidate-doug-hive |access-date=August 15, 2020 |website=Vox |archive-date=October 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014030747/https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/7/25/20697783/khive-twitter-kamala-harris-2020-candidate-doug-hive |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Bixby |first=Scott |date=August 12, 2020 |title=Kamala Harris Built a 'Digital Army' – Now She Gets to Use It |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/kamala-harris-built-a-digital-army-now-she-gets-to-use-it |access-date=August 15, 2020 |website=The Daily Beast |archive-date=October 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009152431/https://www.thedailybeast.com/kamala-harris-built-a-digital-army-now-she-gets-to-use-it |url-status=live}} According to the Daily Dot, Joy Reid first used the term in an August 2017 tweet saying "@DrJasonJohnson @ZerlinaMaxwell and I had a meeting and decided it's called the K-Hive."{{cite web |last=Thomas |first=Alex |date=August 12, 2020 |title=What Is the K-Hive, Kamala Harris' Online Twitter Support? |url=https://www.dailydot.com/debug/k-hive-kamala-harris-twitter-2020/ |access-date=August 16, 2020 |website=The Daily Dot |archive-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005113927/https://www.dailydot.com/debug/k-hive-kamala-harris-twitter-2020/ |url-status=live}}

On December 3, 2019, Harris withdrew from the 2020 presidential election, citing a shortage of funds.{{cite web |last1=Harris |first1=Kamala |title=I am suspending my campaign today |url=https://medium.com/@KamalaHarris/i-am-suspending-my-campaign-today-6dca8cefb252 |website=Medium |date=December 3, 2019 |access-date=December 4, 2019 |archive-date=October 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010184446/https://medium.com/@KamalaHarris/i-am-suspending-my-campaign-today-6dca8cefb252 |url-status=live}} In March 2020, she endorsed Joe Biden for president.{{cite news |last1=Wootson |first1=Cleve R. Jr. |date=March 8, 2020 |title=Sen. Kamala D. Harris endorses Joe Biden for president |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/03/08/2182dfca-6137-11ea-b3fc-7841686c5c57_story.html |access-date=March 9, 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post |archive-date=October 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008143020/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/03/08/2182dfca-6137-11ea-b3fc-7841686c5c57_story.html |url-status=live}}

{{Main|Joe Biden 2020 presidential campaign|2020 Democratic Party vice presidential candidate selection}}

File:Biden Harris logo.svg

File:Kamala hero-1560x936.jpg in Wilmington, Delaware, August 2020. ]]

In May 2019, senior members of the Congressional Black Caucus endorsed the idea of a Biden–Harris ticket.{{cite news |title='A dream ticket': Black lawmakers pitch Biden-Harris to beat Trump |work=Politico |last=Caygle |first=Heather |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/05/12/joe-biden-kamala-harris-dream-ticket-1317561 |date=May 12, 2019 |access-date=May 3, 2020 |archive-date=October 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008213806/https://www.politico.com/story/2019/05/12/joe-biden-kamala-harris-dream-ticket-1317561 |url-status=live}} In late February 2020, Biden won a landslide victory in the 2020 South Carolina Democratic primary with the endorsement of House whip Jim Clyburn, with more victories on Super Tuesday. In early March, Clyburn suggested Biden choose a black woman as a running mate, saying, "African American women needed to be rewarded for their loyalty".{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/clyburn-calls-democrats-shut-primary-down-if-biden-has-big-n1155131 |title=Clyburn calls for Democrats to 'shut this primary down' if Biden has big night |publisher=NBC News |date=March 10, 2020 |access-date=July 4, 2020 |last1=Timm |first1=Jane C. |last2=Gregorian |first2=Dareh |archive-date=July 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730170328/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/clyburn-calls-democrats-shut-primary-down-if-biden-has-big-n1155131 |url-status=live}} In March, Biden committed to choosing a woman for his running mate.{{cite news |title=Joe Biden commits to picking a woman as his running mate |work=Axios |url=https://www.axios.com/2020/03/16/joe-biden-woman-running-mate |date=March 16, 2020 |access-date=May 3, 2020 |archive-date=October 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008164423/https://www.axios.com/joe-biden-woman-running-mate-6add0a5b-2600-43b0-8e83-b38d74042881.html |url-status=live}}

On April 17, 2020, Harris responded to media speculation and said she "would be honored" to be Biden's running mate.{{cite news |title=Kamala Harris 'would be honored' to be Joe Biden's running mate |first1=Joe |last1=Garofoli |first2=Tal |last2=Kopan |work=San Francisco Chronicle |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/Kamala-Harris-would-be-honored-to-be-Joe-15209050.php |date=April 17, 2020 |access-date=May 3, 2020 |archive-date=October 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008010206/https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/Kamala-Harris-would-be-honored-to-be-Joe-15209050.php |url-status=live}} In late May, in relation to the murder of George Floyd and ensuing protests and demonstrations, Biden faced renewed calls to select a black woman as his running mate, highlighting the law enforcement credentials of Harris and Val Demings.{{cite news |title=Minneapolis unrest shakes up VP shortlist |first1=Marc |last1=Caputo |first2=Natasha |last2=Korecki |work=Politico |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/31/joe-biden-vice-president-george-floyd-291063 |date=May 31, 2020 |access-date=May 31, 2020 |archive-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005105118/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/31/joe-biden-vice-president-george-floyd-291063 |url-status=live}}

On June 12, The New York Times reported that Harris was emerging as the front-runner to be Biden's running mate, as she was the only African American woman with the political experience typical of vice presidents.{{cite news |title=Kamala Harris, Front-runner (Again) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/12/briefing/kamala-harris-mark-milley-trump-rally-your-friday-briefing.html/ |last=Leonhardt |first=David |work=The New York Times |date=June 12, 2020 |access-date=June 12, 2020 |archive-date=October 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012054011/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/12/briefing/kamala-harris-mark-milley-trump-rally-your-friday-briefing.html/ |url-status=live}} On June 26, CNN reported that more than a dozen people close to the Biden search process considered Harris one of Biden's top four contenders, along with Elizabeth Warren, Val Demings, and Keisha Lance Bottoms.{{cite news |last1=Zeleny |first1=Jeff |last2=Merica |first2=Dan |last3=Lee |first3=MJ |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/26/politics/joe-biden-running-mate/index.html |title=Nation's reckoning on race looms large over final month of Biden's running mate search |publisher=CNN |date=June 26, 2020 |access-date=June 27, 2020 |archive-date=October 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009131646/https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/26/politics/joe-biden-running-mate/index.html |url-status=live}}

On August 11, 2020, Biden announced he had chosen Harris.{{cite web |last=Dickinson |first=Tim |title=Kamala Harris, Gen X's Moment, and the Fall of House Boomer |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=August 12, 2020 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/kamala-harris-joe-biden-boomers-genx-millenials-1042881/ |access-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-date=July 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725000721/https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/kamala-harris-joe-biden-boomers-genx-millenials-1042881/ |url-status=live}} She was the first African American, the first Indian American, and the third woman after Geraldine Ferraro and Sarah Palin to be the vice-presidential nominee on a major-party ticket.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-53739323 |title=Biden VP pick: Kamala Harris chosen as running mate |website=BBC News |date=August 11, 2020 |access-date=August 11, 2020 |archive-date=October 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010223842/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-53739323 |url-status=live}} Harris is also the first resident of the Western United States to appear on the Democratic Party's national ticket.{{cite web |last1=Ostermeier |first1=Eric |title=Will a Westerner Finally Land on a Democratic Presidential Ticket in 2020? |url=https://smartpolitics.lib.umn.edu/2019/01/23/will-a-westerner-finally-land-on-a-democratic-presidential-ticket-in-2020/ |website=Smart Politics |access-date=November 27, 2022 |date=January 23, 2019 |archive-date=July 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725005035/https://smartpolitics.lib.umn.edu/2019/01/23/will-a-westerner-finally-land-on-a-democratic-presidential-ticket-in-2020/ |url-status=live}}

Harris became the vice president–elect after Biden won the 2020 presidential election.{{Cite news |last1=Blood |first1=Michael R. |last2=Riccardi |first2=Nicholas |date=December 5, 2020 |title=Biden officially secures enough electors to become president |url=https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-elections-electoral-college-3e0b852c3cfadf853b08aecbfc3569fa |access-date=December 22, 2020 |work=Associated Press News |archive-date=December 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208201209/https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-elections-electoral-college-3e0b852c3cfadf853b08aecbfc3569fa |url-status=live}}

{{main|Vice presidency of Kamala Harris}}

{{See also|Inauguration of Joe Biden|Presidency of Joe Biden}}

File:Harris oath of office.jpg on January 20, 2021]]

Harris was sworn in as vice president on 11:40 a.m. on January 20, 2021, by Justice Sonia Sotomayor.{{cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/11/07/politics/kamala-harris-first-vice-president-female-black-south-asian/index.html |title=Harris bursts through another barrier, becoming the first female, first Black and first South Asian vice president-elect |first1=Brandon |last1=Tensley |last2=Wright |first2=Jasmine |publisher=CNN |date=November 7, 2020 |access-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-date=November 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107194833/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/11/07/politics/kamala-harris-first-vice-president-female-black-south-asian/index.html |url-status=live}} She is the United States' first woman vice president, first African-American vice president, and first Asian-American vice president.{{Cite web |title=Kamala Harris: The Vice President |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/administration/vice-president-harris/ |access-date=July 24, 2024 |work=The White House |archive-date=January 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120170519/https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/vice-president-harris/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=United States in the Senate: California Timeline |url=https://www.senate.gov/states/CA/timeline.htm |access-date=August 3, 2024 |publisher=The United States Senate |quote=2021, January 20: Kamala Harris of Los Angeles became the first woman and the first African American and Asian American to serve as vice president of the United States and president of the U.S. Senate. |archive-date=June 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613015034/https://www.senate.gov/states/CA/timeline.htm |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Horowitz |first1=Juliana Menasce |last2=Budiman |first2=Abby |date=August 18, 2020 |title=Key findings about multiracial identity in the U.S. as Harris becomes vice presidential nominee |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/08/18/key-findings-about-multiracial-identity-in-the-u-s-as-harris-becomes-vice-presidential-nominee/ |access-date=November 8, 2020 |website=Pew Research Center |archive-date=November 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107221446/https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/08/18/key-findings-about-multiracial-identity-in-the-u-s-as-harris-becomes-vice-presidential-nominee/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |date=November 7, 2020 |title=Kamala Harris Makes History As First Female, Black, Asian American Vice President |first=Jemima |last=McEvoy |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jemimamcevoy/2020/11/07/kamala-harris-makes-history-as-first-female-black-asian-american-vice-president/ |access-date=November 13, 2020 |work=Forbes |archive-date=November 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113063528/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jemimamcevoy/2020/11/07/kamala-harris-makes-history-as-first-female-black-asian-american-vice-president/ |url-status=live}} Harris is the third person with acknowledged non-European ancestry to become president or vice president.{{efn|The other two are President Barack Obama and Vice President Charles Curtis, a Native American and member of the Kaw Nation, who was vice president under Herbert Hoover from 1929 to 1933.{{Cite news |date=August 12, 2020 |title=Here Are The 'Firsts' Kamala Harris Represents With VP Candidacy |first=Andrew |last=Solender |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewsolender/2020/08/12/here-are-the-firsts-kamala-harris-represents-with-vp-candidacy/ |quote=Harris would not be the first person of color to serve as vice president. That honor belongs to Charles Curtis, President Herbert Hoover's No. 2. |work=Forbes |access-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-date=September 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200902023222/https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewsolender/2020/08/12/here-are-the-firsts-kamala-harris-represents-with-vp-candidacy/ |url-status=live}}}}

Her first act as vice president was to swear in three new senators: Alex Padilla (her successor in the Senate) and Georgia senators Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff.{{Cite news |last=Hayes |first=Christal |date=January 20, 2021 |title=Democrats officially take control of Senate after Harris swears in Ossoff, Warnock and Padilla |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/01/20/warnock-ossoff-sworn-in-giving-democrats-majority-senate/4217985001/ |access-date=January 21, 2021 |work=USA Today |location=Washington |archive-date=October 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023171322/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/01/20/warnock-ossoff-sworn-in-giving-democrats-majority-senate/4217985001/ |url-status=live}}

When Harris took office, the 117th Congress's Senate was divided 50–50 between Republicans and Democrats;{{cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/20/democrats-to-take-senate-majority-when-warnock-ossoff-and-padilla-are-sworn-in.html |title=Democrats take Senate majority, sealing control of the White House and Congress |first=Jacob |last=Pramuk |date=January 20, 2021 |publisher=CNBC |access-date=December 3, 2021 |archive-date=October 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025210344/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/20/democrats-to-take-senate-majority-when-warnock-ossoff-and-padilla-are-sworn-in.html |url-status=live}} this meant that she was often called upon to exercise her power to cast tie-breaking votes as president of the Senate. Harris cast her first two tie-breaking votes on February 5. In February and March, Harris's tie-breaking votes were required to pass the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 stimulus package Biden proposed, since no Senate Republicans voted for it.{{cite news |last=Segers |first=Grace |title=Senate passes $1.9 trillion COVID relief resolution after all-night 'vote-a-rama' |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/covid-relief-package-senate-passes-budget-plan/ |publisher=CBS News |date=February 5, 2021 |access-date=February 7, 2021 |archive-date=February 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217042330/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/covid-relief-package-senate-passes-budget-plan/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Maanvi |last2=Greve |first2=Joan E. |last3=Belam |first3=Martin |last4=McKernan |first4=Bethan |last5=Levine |first5=Sam |title=Kamala Harris breaks Senate tie to begin Covid relief package debate – as it happened |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2021/mar/04/voting-rights-police-reform-george-floyd-for-the-people-joe-biden-covid-coronavirus-live |work=The Guardian |date=March 5, 2021 |access-date=March 5, 2021 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=March 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306133828/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2021/mar/04/voting-rights-police-reform-george-floyd-for-the-people-joe-biden-covid-coronavirus-live |url-status=live}} On July 20, Harris broke Mike Pence's record for tie-breaking votes in the first year of a vice presidency{{cite news |last1=Cohn |first1=Alicia |title=Pence became ultimate tie-breaker in 2017 |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/366811-pence-became-ultimate-tie-breaker-in-2017 |work=The Hill |date=December 31, 2017 |access-date=October 25, 2021 |archive-date=October 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027133916/https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/366811-pence-became-ultimate-tie-breaker-in-2017 |url-status=live}} when she cast the seventh tie-breaking vote in her first six months.{{cite web |title=Votes to Break Ties in the Senate |url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/TieVotes.htm |website=senate.gov |access-date=October 25, 2021 |archive-date=November 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118145849/https://www.senate.gov/legislative/TieVotes.htm |url-status=live}} She cast 13 tie-breaking votes during her first year in office, the most tie-breaking votes in a single year in U.S. history, surpassing John Adams, who cast 12 in 1790.{{cite web |url=https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/VPTies.pdf |title=Senate.gov: VPTies.pdf |access-date=February 5, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502114129/https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/VPTies.pdf |archive-date=May 2, 2017}} On December 5, 2023, Harris broke the record for the most tie-breaking votes cast by a vice president, casting her 32nd vote, exceeding John C. Calhoun, who cast 31 votes during his nearly eight years in office. When she left office, she had cast 33 such votes.{{cite web |last1=Lebowitz |first1=Megan |last2=Thorp |first2=Frank |last3=Santaliz |first3=Kate |title=Vice President Harris breaks record for casting the most tie-breaking votes |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/president-harris-breaks-record-casting-tie-breaking-votes-rcna123999 |publisher=NBC News |date=December 5, 2023 |access-date=December 5, 2023 |archive-date=December 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205185108/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/president-harris-breaks-record-casting-tie-breaking-votes-rcna123999 |url-status=live}} On November 19, 2021, Harris served as acting president from 10:10 to 11:35 am EST while Biden underwent a colonoscopy.{{cite news |last=Miller |first=Zeke |date=November 19, 2021 |title=Biden to have routine colonoscopy, transfer power to Harris |url=https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-health-jen-psaki-70d7e5903ea41636ee6bbe829fa082a2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119212925/https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-health-jen-psaki-70d7e5903ea41636ee6bbe829fa082a2 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |access-date=November 19, 2021 |work=Associated Press News |location=Bethesda, MD}} She was the first woman, and the third person overall, to assume the powers and duties of the presidency as acting president of the United States.{{cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Kate |title=For 85 minutes, Kamala Harris became the first woman with presidential power |date=November 19, 2021 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/19/politics/kamala-harris-presidential-power/index.html |publisher=CNN |access-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-date=May 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230510101502/https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/19/politics/kamala-harris-presidential-power/index.html |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Feinberg |first=Andrew |date=November 19, 2021 |title='First woman president': Kamala Harris makes history when she briefly assumes powers of presidency during Biden procedure |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/joe-biden-president-kamala-harris-b1960913.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119195940/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/joe-biden-president-kamala-harris-b1960913.html |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |access-date=November 19, 2021 |work=The Independent |location=Washington, DC}}{{cite news |last=Pengelly |first=Martin |date=November 19, 2021 |title=Kamala Harris takes on presidential role – briefly – as Biden has colonoscopy |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/nov/19/kamala-harris-presidential-powers-biden-colonoscopy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119203654/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/nov/19/kamala-harris-presidential-powers-biden-colonoscopy |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |access-date=November 19, 2021 |work=The Guardian}}

As early as December 2021, Harris was identified as playing a pivotal role in the Biden administration owing to her tie-breaking vote in the evenly divided Senate as well as her being the presumed front-runner in 2024 if Biden did not seek reelection.{{Cite web |last=Dorman |first=John L. |title=Kamala Harris' staff turnover driven by burnout and apprehension to being labeled a 'Harris person': Axios |date=December 4, 2021 |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/kamala-harris-staff-turnover-office-burnout-opportunities-pigeonholed-2024-democrats-2021-12 |access-date=July 23, 2024 |website=Business Insider |archive-date=July 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725005233/https://www.businessinsider.com/kamala-harris-staff-turnover-office-burnout-opportunities-pigeonholed-2024-democrats-2021-12 |url-status=live}}

File:V20210625LJ-0050 (51362307014).jpg at Joint Base Andrews beginning a trip to El Paso, Texas, June 2021.]]

On March 24, 2021, Biden assigned Harris to work with Mexico and Northern Triangle nations (El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras) to stem irregular migration to the Mexico–United States border and address the root causes of migration.{{cite news |last1=Egan |first1=Lauren |last2=Gutierrez |first2=Gabe |last3=Gregorian |first3=Dareh |title=Biden tasks Harris with 'stemming the migration' on southern border |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/biden-taps-harris-lead-coordination-efforts-southern-border-n1261952 |date=March 24, 2021 |access-date=July 22, 2024 |archive-date=July 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725005245/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/biden-taps-harris-lead-coordination-efforts-southern-border-n1261952 |url-status=live |publisher=NBC News |quote=A senior administration official said Harris' role would focus on 'two tracks': both curbing the current flow of migrants and implementing a long-term strategy that addresses the root causes of migration.}}{{cite news |title=Harris to lead administration's efforts to stem migration at border |publisher=CBS News |date=March 24, 2021 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kamala-harris-immigration-lead-mexico-border-biden-administration/ |first1=Tim |last1=Perry |first2=Ed |last2=O'Keefe |first3=Camilo |last3=Montoya-Galvez |access-date=July 28, 2024 |quote=She [the vice president] is really going to look at two tracks. She is going to work first on the goal of stemming the flow of irregular migrants to the US, but also at the same time, and as part of the broader context, her real goal is establishment of a strategic partnership with these countries that is based on respect and shared values. |archive-date=July 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240728132526/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kamala-harris-immigration-lead-mexico-border-biden-administration/ |url-status=live}} The Root Causes Strategy (RCS) was the product of this effort.{{Cite web |date=July 29, 2021 |title=FACT SHEET: Strategy to Address the Root Causes of Migration in Central America |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/07/29/fact-sheet-strategy-to-address-the-root-causes-of-migration-in-central-america/ |publisher=White House |language=en-US |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007225911/https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/07/29/fact-sheet-strategy-to-address-the-root-causes-of-migration-in-central-america/ |archive-date=October 7, 2024}} Multiple news organizations at the time described Harris as a "border czar",{{cite web |last1=Chen |first1=Shawna |title=Harris to visit Mexico and Guatemala to address 'root causes' of border crossings |url=https://www.axios.com/2021/04/14/harris-immigration-visit-mexico-guatemala |website=Axios |access-date=July 24, 2024 |date=April 14, 2021 |quote=Harris, appointed by Biden as border czar, said she would be looking at the 'root causes' that drive migration |archive-date=July 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725010739/https://www.axios.com/2021/04/14/harris-immigration-visit-mexico-guatemala |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Transcripts |publisher=CNN |date=June 25, 2021 |url=https://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/2106/25/nday.06.html |first=Ed |last=Lavandera |quote=Well, the vice president is expected to land here in El Paso in about an hour and a half. It will be a four-hour visit. And this will be her first visit to the U.S./Mexico border region since she was appointed as the border czar by President Biden. |access-date=July 28, 2024 |archive-date=July 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731093625/https://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/2106/25/nday.06.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |date=March 24, 2021 |title=Biden tasks Harris with tackling migrant influx on US–Mexico border |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56516332 |access-date=July 25, 2024 |website=BBC News |quote=US President Joe Biden has put Vice-President Kamala Harris in charge of controlling migration at the southern border following a big influx of new arrivals. Mr Biden said he was giving her a 'tough job' but that she was 'the most qualified person to do it'. [...] Announcing Ms Harris's appointment as his immigration czar |archive-date=July 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240727150933/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56516332 |url-status=live}} though Harris rejected the title and never actually held it.{{cite web |last1=Paz |first1=Christian |title=Kamala Harris and the border: The myth and the facts |url=https://www.vox.com/politics/361635/kamala-harris-border-czar-immigration-mexico-guatemala-rnc |website=Vox |date=July 18, 2024 |quote=If Vice President Kamala Harris becomes the Democratic presidential nominee, Republicans have a ready-made case against her: They can say she was President Joe Biden's 'border czar', in charge of immigration and the border, and she failed ... There's just one problem. The vice president was never in charge of the border. |access-date=July 22, 2024 |archive-date=July 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240722142513/https://www.vox.com/politics/361635/kamala-harris-border-czar-immigration-mexico-guatemala-rnc |url-status=live}}{{cite magazine |last1=Bergengruen |first1=Vera |date=July 23, 2024 |title=Kamala Harris Wasn't the 'Border Czar'. Here's What She Did |url=https://time.com/7001817/kamala-harris-immigration/ |magazine=Time |access-date=July 27, 2024 |archive-date=July 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240727120848/https://time.com/7001817/kamala-harris-immigration/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Keith |first=Tamara |date=June 25, 2021 |title=Harris Visits The Southern Border After Trying To Keep The Focus Away From It |url=https://www.npr.org/2021/06/25/1009939218/harris-is-visiting-the-southern-border-after-trying-to-keep-the-focus-away-from- |access-date=July 28, 2024 |publisher=NPR |archive-date=July 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731093610/https://www.npr.org/2021/06/25/1009939218/harris-is-visiting-the-southern-border-after-trying-to-keep-the-focus-away-from- |url-status=live}} Republicans and other critics began using the term "border czar" to tie Harris to the Mexico–United States border crisis, including in a July 2024 House resolution, despite her having no authority over the border itself.{{cite web |last1=Kight |first1=Stef W. |date=July 24, 2024 |title=Harris border confusion haunts her new campaign |url=https://www.axios.com/2024/07/24/kamala-harris-border-czar-immigratin |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240724080958/https://www.axios.com/2024/07/24/kamala-harris-border-czar-immigratin |archive-date=July 24, 2024 |access-date=July 24, 2024 |website=Axios |quote=The announcement led to near-immediate confusion in the media and in the White House over how involved Harris would be, with Republicans and some news outlets, including Axios, giving Harris the unofficial monicker of 'border czar'. ... This article has been updated and clarified to note that Axios was among the news outlets that incorrectly labeled Harris a 'border czar' in 2021.}}{{Cite web |last=Uribe |first=Maria Ramirez |date=July 24, 2024 |title='Border czar'? GOP talking point distorts VP Harrris' role |url=https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2024/jul/24/republican-national-committee-republican/border-czar-kamala-harris-assigned-to-tackle-immig/ |access-date=July 26, 2024 |website=politifact |archive-date=July 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725234440/https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2024/jul/24/republican-national-committee-republican/border-czar-kamala-harris-assigned-to-tackle-immig/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last1=Ulloa |first1=Jazmine |last2=Nehamas |first2=Nicholas |date=July 18, 2024 |title=Why Republicans Keep Calling Kamala Harris the 'Border Czar' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/17/us/politics/kamala-harris-border-czar.html |access-date=July 28, 2024 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=July 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240728134206/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/17/us/politics/kamala-harris-border-czar.html |url-status=live}}File:Arribo a Guatemala de la vicepresidenta de los Estados Unidos de América, Kamala Harris, 20210606 (2).jpg during her first foreign trip as vice president, June 2021.]]Harris conducted her first international trip as vice president in June 2021, visiting Guatemala and Mexico in an attempt to address the root causes of an increase in migration from Central America to the United States.{{cite news |last=Egan |first=Lauren |title=Harris takes first steps onto world stage, into migration spotlight |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/harris-takes-her-first-steps-world-stage-migration-policy-spotlight-n1269789 |publisher=NBC News |date=June 7, 2021 |access-date=June 9, 2021 |archive-date=June 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210617215045/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/harris-takes-her-first-steps-world-stage-migration-policy-spotlight-n1269789 |url-status=live}} During her visit, in a joint press conference with Guatemalan president Alejandro Giammattei, Harris issued an appeal to potential migrants: "I want to be clear to folks in the region who are thinking about making that dangerous trek to the United States-Mexico border: Do not come. Do not come."{{cite news |last1=Rodriguez |first1=Sabrina |title=Harris' blunt message in Guatemala: 'Do not come' to U.S. |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/06/07/harris-message-in-guatemala-do-not-come-492047 |newspaper=Politico |date=June 7, 2021 |access-date=June 9, 2021 |archive-date=September 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911174620/https://www.politico.com/news/2021/06/07/harris-message-in-guatemala-do-not-come-492047 |url-status=live}} Her work in Central America led to creation of:

• Task forces on corruption and human trafficking
• The Partnership for Central America{{Cite web |date=October 9, 2024 |title=Partnership For Central America |url=https://www.centampartnership.org/ |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=Partnership For Central America |language=en-US}}
• The women's empowerment program in Her Hands, part of the Partnership for Central America{{Cite web |title=In Her Hands |url=https://www.centampartnership.org/in-her-hands |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=Partnership For Central America |language=en-US |archive-date=August 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804232221/https://www.centampartnership.org/in-her-hands |url-status=live}}
• Investment funds for housing and businesses{{cite news |last=Rothkopf |first=David |date=December 17, 2021 |title=Kamala's Conundrum: She's Doing a Great Job But Her Story's Not Getting Out |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/kamala-harris-conundrum-shes-doing-a-great-job-but-her-storys-not-getting-out |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220102182753/https://www.thedailybeast.com/kamala-harris-conundrum-shes-doing-a-great-job-but-her-storys-not-getting-out |archive-date=January 2, 2022 |access-date=January 2, 2022 |work=The Daily Beast}}

File:Kamala Harris 2024 - 65.jpg in Munich with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, February 2024]]Harris met with French president Emmanuel Macron in November 2021 to strengthen ties after the contentious cancellation of a submarine program.{{cite news |last=Rogers |first=Katie |date=November 10, 2021 |title=Harris Meets Macron, Signaling a 'New Era' After Sub Snub, Both Say |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/10/world/europe/france-kamala-harris-macron.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110225005/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/10/world/europe/france-kamala-harris-macron.html |archive-date=November 10, 2021 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=January 2, 2022 |issn=0362-4331}} Another meeting was held in November 2022 during Macron's visit to the U.S., resulting in an agreement to strengthen U.S.–France space cooperation across civil, commercial, and national security sectors.{{Cite web |last=Cowing |first=Keith |date=November 30, 2022 |title=Vice President Harris' Meeting At NASA With President Macron |url=https://spaceref.com/science-and-exploration/vice-president-harris-meeting-at-nasa-with-president-macron/ |access-date=July 23, 2024 |website=SpaceRef |archive-date=July 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725004354/https://spaceref.com/science-and-exploration/vice-president-harris-meeting-at-nasa-with-president-macron/ |url-status=live}}

In April 2021, Harris said she was the last person in the room before Biden decided to remove all U.S. troops from Afghanistan, adding that Biden had "an extraordinary amount of courage" and "make[s] decisions based on what he truly believes ... is the right thing to do".{{cite news |last=Bice |first=Allie |date=April 25, 2021 |title=Harris says she had key role in Biden's Afghanistan withdrawal decision |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/04/25/harris-afghanistan-biden-withdrawal-decision-484581 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823064520/https://www.politico.com/news/2021/04/25/harris-afghanistan-biden-withdrawal-decision-484581 |archive-date=August 23, 2021 |access-date=August 20, 2021 |website=Politico}} National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that Biden "insists she be in every core decision-making meeting. She weighs in during those meetings, often providing unique perspectives." Harris assumed a "key diplomatic role" in the Biden administration, particularly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, after which she was dispatched to Germany and Poland to rally support for arming Ukraine and imposing sanctions on Russia.{{cite news |last=Tomlinson |first=Hugh |date=March 17, 2022 |title=Fresh woe for Kamala Harris as another adviser quits |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/fresh-woe-for-kamala-harris-as-another-adviser-quits-zssczgzlt |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318063019/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/fresh-woe-for-kamala-harris-as-another-adviser-quits-zssczgzlt |archive-date=March 18, 2022 |access-date=March 18, 2022 |newspaper=The Times}}

File:Vice President Harris met with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel at the White House in 2024 (2).jpg at the White House on July 25, 2024]]

In April 2023, Harris visited Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland with South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol and agreed to work to strengthen the space alliance between the U.S. and South Korea. "We renew our commitment to strengthen our cooperation in the next frontier of our expanding alliance, and of course that is space," Harris said at a joint news conference with Yoon.{{Cite news |date=April 26, 2023 |title=Yoon, Harris agree to strengthen 'space alliance' in visit to NASA center |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2023/04/26/national/politics/Korea-Yoon-Suk-Yeol-space-cooperation/20230426081803875.html |work=Korea JoongAng Daily |access-date=July 24, 2024 |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723190739/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2023/04/26/national/politics/Korea-Yoon-Suk-Yeol-space-cooperation/20230426081803875.html |url-status=live}}

In November 2023, Harris pledged that the Biden administration would place no conditions on U.S. aid to Israel in its war with Hamas in Gaza.{{cite news |title=US will not impose conditions on support for Israel to defend itself – VP Harris |first=William |last=James |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-will-not-impose-conditions-support-israel-defend-itself-vp-harris-2023-11-02/ |work=Reuters |date=November 2, 2023 |access-date=June 16, 2024 |archive-date=March 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312135636/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-will-not-impose-conditions-support-israel-defend-itself-vp-harris-2023-11-02/ |url-status=live}} In March 2024, she criticized Israel's actions during the Gaza war, saying, "Given the immense scale of suffering in Gaza, there must be an immediate ceasefire for at least the next six weeks...This will get the hostages out and get a significant amount of aid in."{{cite news |title=US VP Harris calls for 'immediate' Gaza truce in rare rebuke of Israel |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/4/us-vp-harris-calls-for-immediate-gaza-ceasefire-in-rare-rebuke-of-israel |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=March 4, 2024 |access-date=June 16, 2024 |archive-date=May 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524163658/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/4/us-vp-harris-calls-for-immediate-gaza-ceasefire-in-rare-rebuke-of-israel |url-status=live}}{{anchor|"Coconut tree" meme}}

In April 2023, President Biden initially announced his reelection campaign, with Harris expected to remain his running mate. After the Democratic primaries, the pair became the party's presumptive nominees in the 2024 presidential election. Concerns about Biden's age and health persisted throughout Biden's first term, with renewed scrutiny after his performance in the first presidential debate, on June 27.

{{Main|Kamala Harris 2024 presidential campaign}}

File:Kamala Harris & Tim Walz - 53915639353.jpg at a presidential campaign rally at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, August 2024]]

File:ElectoralCollege2024.svg

On July 21, 2024, Biden suspended his reelection campaign and immediately endorsed Harris for president.{{Cite news |last1=Samuels |first1=Brett |last2=Gangitano |first2=Alex |date=July 21, 2024 |title=Biden Endorses Harris as Democratic Nominee After Ending His Candidacy |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4784460-joe-biden-endorses-kamala-harris/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723214700/https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4784460-joe-biden-endorses-kamala-harris/ |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |work=The Hill |access-date=July 24, 2024}} She was also endorsed by Jimmy Carter, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Barack and Michelle Obama, the Congressional Black Caucus, and many others.{{Cite news |last1=Gamio |first1=Lazaro |last2=Keefe |first2=John |last3=Kim |first3=June |last4=McFadden |first4=Alyce |last5=Park |first5=Andrew |last6=Yourish |first6=Karen |date=July 22, 2024 |title=Many Elected Democrats Quickly Endorsed Kamala Harris. See Who Did. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/07/22/us/politics/kamala-harris-democrats-endorsement-list.html |access-date=July 22, 2024 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=July 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240722072026/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/07/22/us/politics/kamala-harris-democrats-endorsement-list.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |title=The Democrats who have endorsed Kamala Harris to replace Biden as nominee |first1=Hayden |last1=Godfrey |first2=Adrián |last2=Blanco |first3=Kati |last3=Perry |first4=Hannah |last4=Dormido |first5=Eric |last5=Lau |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/interactive/2024/kamala-harris-endorsements/ |date=July 21, 2024 |access-date=August 5, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{Cite news |last1=Davis |first1=Ebony |date=July 26, 2024 |title=Barack and Michelle Obama endorse Kamala Harris for president |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/26/politics/barack-michelle-obama-kamala-harris-endorsement/index.html |access-date=August 5, 2024 |publisher=CNN |archive-date=August 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240805160641/https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/26/politics/barack-michelle-obama-kamala-harris-endorsement/index.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last1=Bluestein |first1=Greg |date=August 3, 2024 |title=Jimmy Carters next goal is voting for Kamala Harris for president |url=https://www.ajc.com/politics/jimmy-carters-next-goal-is-voting-for-kamala-harris/UKCLDIUSSJC6JM4NP7HGOEDCNY/ |access-date=August 3, 2024 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |archive-date=August 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803125750/https://www.ajc.com/politics/jimmy-carters-next-goal-is-voting-for-kamala-harris/UKCLDIUSSJC6JM4NP7HGOEDCNY/ |url-status=live}} In the first 24 hours of her candidacy, her campaign raised $81 million in small-dollar donations, the highest single-day total of any presidential candidate in history.{{Cite news |last1=Samuels |first1=Brett |date=July 22, 2024 |title=Harris breaks 24-hour fundraising record after Biden drops out |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4786610-harris-breaks-fundraising-record/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240722220814/https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4786610-harris-breaks-fundraising-record/ |archive-date=July 22, 2024 |access-date=July 22, 2024 |newspaper=The Hill}}

By August 5, Harris had officially secured the nomination via a virtual roll call of delegates.{{Cite news |last=Kim |first=Seung Min |title=Kamala Harris is now Democratic presidential nominee, will face off against Donald Trump this fall |url=https://apnews.com/article/harris-democratic-presidential-nomination-eb43b6b346cc644b2d195315cb2bfb20 |work=Associated Press News |date=August 5, 2024 |access-date=August 5, 2024 |archive-date=August 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808041440/https://apnews.com/article/harris-democratic-presidential-nomination-eb43b6b346cc644b2d195315cb2bfb20 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Nehamas |first=Nicholas |date=August 6, 2024 |title=Harris Officially Secures Democratic Party's Nomination for President |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/06/us/politics/kamala-harris-president-campaign-2024.html |access-date=August 6, 2024 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=August 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806062412/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/06/us/politics/kamala-harris-president-campaign-2024.html |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-23/harris-crosses-delegate-threshold-in-sign-nomination-is-hers |title=Harris Has Enough Delegates to Clinch Nomination for President |first1=Gregory |last1=Korte |first2=Jordan |last2=Fabian |date=July 22, 2024 |access-date=July 22, 2024 |publisher=Bloomberg News |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723020348/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-23/harris-crosses-delegate-threshold-in-sign-nomination-is-hers?srnd=homepage-uk |url-status=live}} The next day, she announced Minnesota governor Tim Walz as her vice-presidential running mate.{{Cite web |last1=Parnes |first1=Amie |last2=Samuels |first2=Brett |last3=Conradis |first3=Brandon |date=August 6, 2024 |title=Harris picks Walz for vice president |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4789021-kamala-harris-vp-tim-walz-minnesota/ |access-date=August 6, 2024 |newspaper=The Hill |archive-date=August 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806130648/https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4789021-kamala-harris-vp-tim-walz-minnesota/ |url-status=live}} On August 22, the fourth day of the Democratic National Convention, Harris officially accepted the Democratic nomination for president.{{Cite news |last=Yilek |first=Caitlin |title=12 highlights from the 2024 Democratic National Convention |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dnc-highlights-2024/ |access-date=October 31, 2024 |publisher=CBS News |date=August 23, 2024 |archive-date=September 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240927214338/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dnc-highlights-2024/ |url-status=live}}

On September 10, 2024, ABC News hosted the presidential debate between Harris and Trump in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.{{Cite web |date=September 11, 2024 |title=Presidential Debate TV Review: Kamala Harris Baits Raging Donald Trump Into His Worst Self In Face-Off |url=https://deadline.com/2024/09/presidential-debate-highlights-recap-trump-harris-1236084242/ |work=Deadline Hollywood |last1=Patten |first1=Dominic |last2=Johnson |first2=Ted |access-date=December 31, 2024 |archive-date=September 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911220225/https://deadline.com/2024/09/presidential-debate-highlights-recap-trump-harris-1236084242/ |url-status=live}} In the debate, Trump tried to portray Harris as a "radical liberal".{{Cite web |last=Sherman |first=Amy |date=2024-09-04 |title=Trump is wrong. Harris is not a communist. |url=https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2024/sep/04/donald-trump/fact-check-trump-called-kamala-harris-a-communist/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914033658/https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2024/sep/04/donald-trump/fact-check-trump-called-kamala-harris-a-communist/ |archive-date=September 14, 2024 |access-date=September 14, 2024 |website=PolitiFact |language=en-US}} Harris's sharpest criticisms of Trump came on abortion rights, where she said she would restore women's rights to what they were under Roe.{{Cite web |last1=Fischler |first1=Ashley |last2=Murray |first2=Jacob |date=September 11, 2024 |title=Harris tears into Trump over abortion rights and race in tense presidential debate |url=https://oklahomavoice.com/2024/09/11/harris-tears-into-trump-over-abortion-rights-and-race-in-tense-presidential-debate/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911182815/https://oklahomavoice.com/2024/09/11/harris-tears-into-trump-over-abortion-rights-and-race-in-tense-presidential-debate/ |archive-date=September 11, 2024 |access-date=December 31, 2024 |website=Oklahoma Voice}} Harris was declared the winner of the debate by several political analysts, including columnists from CNN,{{Cite web |last=Collinson |first=Stephen |date=September 11, 2024 |title=Analysis: Harris bests Trump in debate but there's no guarantee it will shape the election |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/11/politics/harris-trump-debate-analysis/index.html |access-date=September 11, 2024 |publisher=CNN |language=en |archive-date=September 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911083643/https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/11/politics/harris-trump-debate-analysis/index.html |url-status=live}} Politico,{{Cite web |title=Harris won the debate — and it wasn't close |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/11/harris-biden-debate-winner-takeaways-00178442 |work=Politico |date=September 11, 2024|quote="this was clearly Harris' best debate performance of her career, without any clear missteps."}} The New York Times,{{Cite web |last1=Goldmacher |first1=Shane |last2=Rogers |first2=Katie |date=September 11, 2024 |title=Harris Dominates as Trump Gets Defensive: 6 Takeaways From the Debate |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/11/us/politics/trump-harris-debate-takeaways.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911224551/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/11/us/politics/trump-harris-debate-takeaways.html |archive-date=September 11, 2024 |access-date=September 11, 2024 |work=The New York Times}} and USA Today.{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Zac |date=2024-09-10 |title=Who won the debate? Harris' forceful performance rattles a defensive Trump. |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/09/10/who-won-harris-trump-presidential-debate/75148815007/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241002103642/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/09/10/who-won-harris-trump-presidential-debate/75148815007/ |archive-date=October 2, 2024 |access-date=September 11, 2024 |website=USA Today |language=en-US}} Some analysts noted that for Harris, this was the "best debate performance of her career," in which she forcefully highlighted her strengths and rattled former president Trump. After the debate, Harris got a prominent celebrity endorsement from Taylor Swift. However, the polls remained close and showed Harris had a hard time conveying that she could represent a "change".{{Cite news |last1=LeVine |first1=Marianne |last2=Reston |first2=Maeve |last3=Dawsey |first3=Josh |last4=Rodriguez |first4=Sabrina |date=September 12, 2024 |title=Trump says he won't debate Harris again before election |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/09/12/trump-harris-second-debate/ |access-date= February 2, 2025 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{Cite web |date=September 12, 2024 |title=Trump: No more debates with Kamala Harris |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-says-he-will-not-participate-another-debate-with-kamala-harris-2024-09-12/ |access-date= February 2, 2025 |work=Reuters}}

On October 30, Harris delivered a half-hour speech at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., intended as a "closing argument" for her campaign.{{Cite web |last=Krieg |first=Gregory |date=October 30, 2024 |title=Harris tries to paint contrast with Trump, arguing 'it doesn't have to be this way' at Ellipse rally |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/29/politics/kamala-harris-ellipse-rally/index.html |access-date=November 2, 2024 |publisher=CNN |language=en}}{{Cite web |last1=Jacobson |first1=Louis |last2=Putterman |first2=Samantha |last3=Sherman |first3=Amy |date=2024-10-30 |title=Fact check: Kamala Harris's speech at the White House Ellipse |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/10/30/fact-check-kamala-harriss-speech-at-the-white-house-ellipse |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127234431/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/10/30/fact-check-kamala-harriss-speech-at-the-white-house-ellipse |archive-date=November 27, 2024 |access-date=November 6, 2024 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}} Her statements about tax-funded gender-affirming surgery for transgender people in prison were attacked by Trump, who spent millions on a political advertisement that said, "Kamala is for they/them, President Trump is for you." Trump's campaign spent more money on the advertisement than any other in the campaign.{{cite web |last=Davis |first=Susan |title=GOP ads on transgender rights are dominating airwaves in the election's closing days |website=NPR |date=October 19, 2024 |url=https://www.npr.org/transcripts/g-s1-28932 |access-date=November 8, 2024 |archive-date=November 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241108144247/https://www.npr.org/transcripts/g-s1-28932 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Barrón-López |first1=Laura |last2=Baldwin |first2=Lorna |last3=Lane |first3=Sam |last4=Barajas |first4=Joshua |last5=Sunkara |first5=Satvi |title=Why anti-transgender political ads are dominating the airwaves this election |website=PBS News |date=November 2, 2024 |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/why-anti-transgender-political-ads-are-dominating-the-airwaves-this-election |access-date=November 8, 2024 |archive-date=November 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241108001521/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/why-anti-transgender-political-ads-are-dominating-the-airwaves-this-election |url-status=live}}

Harris lost the 2024 United States presidential election to Trump on November 5, 2024.{{cite news |title=Trump wins the White House in political comeback rooted in appeals to frustrated voters |url=https://apnews.com/article/election-day-trump-harris-white-house-83c8e246ab97f5b97be45cdc156af4e2 |work=AP News |date=November 5, 2024 |access-date=November 6, 2024 |archive-date=November 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241107003326/https://apnews.com/article/election-day-trump-harris-white-house-83c8e246ab97f5b97be45cdc156af4e2 |url-status=live}} She conceded the race the next day in a speech at her alma mater, Howard University.{{Cite web |last=Korecki |first=Natasha |date=November 7, 2024 |title=Harris concedes before an emotional crowd at her alma mater |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/harris-concedes-presidential-race-trump-emotional-crowd-rcna176106 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241106225701/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/harris-concedes-presidential-race-trump-emotional-crowd-rcna176106 |archive-date=November 6, 2024 |access-date=November 14, 2024 |website=NBC News |language=en}} Harris lost the Electoral College vote, 312 to 226, and the popular vote, 48.3% to 49.8%. Losses in the "blue wall" states of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania were considered key to her defeat, as were losses in the swing states of Nevada, Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina.{{Cite magazine |date=2024-11-06 |title=Read Vice President Kamala Harris' Full Concession Speech |url=https://time.com/7173617/kamala-harris-concession-speech-full-transcript/ |access-date=2024-11-07 |magazine=TIME |language=en |archive-date=December 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241217205936/https://time.com/7173617/kamala-harris-concession-speech-full-transcript/ |url-status=live}} Harris's loss was part of a global backlash against incumbent parties in 2024,{{Cite news |last=Burn-Murdoch |first=John |date=2024-11-07 |title=Democrats join 2024's graveyard of incumbents |url=https://www.ft.com/content/e8ac09ea-c300-4249-af7d-109003afb893 |access-date=2024-12-05 |work=Financial Times |archive-date=November 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241107180858/https://www.ft.com/content/e8ac09ea-c300-4249-af7d-109003afb893 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.vox.com/2024-elections/383208/donald-trump-victory-kamala-harris-global-trend-incumbents |title=The global trend that pushed Donald Trump to victory |website=Vox |first1=Zack |last1=Beauchamp |date=November 6, 2024 |quote=Incumbents everywhere are doing poorly. America just proved it's not exceptional.}} which occurred in part because of the 2021–2023 inflation surge.{{Cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/global-politics-conservative-right-shift-ea0e8d05 |title=The Progressive Moment in Global Politics is Over |date=December 27, 2024 |access-date=December 27, 2024 |first1=Bertrand |last1=Benoit |first2=David |last2=Luhnow |first3=Vipal |last3=Monga |website=The Wall Street Journal |quote=Weak economic growth and record immigration are driving gains by the right, especially populists. |archive-date=December 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241228022731/https://www.wsj.com/world/global-politics-conservative-right-shift-ea0e8d05 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Burn-Murdoch |first=John |date=2024-12-29 |title=What the 'year of democracy' taught us, in 6 charts |url=https://www.ft.com/content/350ba985-bb07-4aa3-aa5e-38eda7c525dd |access-date=2024-12-30 |work=Financial Times |quote=The billions who voted in 2024 sent an angry message to incumbents, and warmed to populists on left and right |archive-date=January 1, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250101061856/https://www.ft.com/content/350ba985-bb07-4aa3-aa5e-38eda7c525dd |url-status=live}} All 50 states and DC trended rightward compared to the 2020 presidential election.{{Cite web |url=https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/how-the-states-vote-relative-to-the-nation-a-2024-update/ |title=How the States Vote Relative to the Nation: A 2024 Update |first1=Kyle |last1=Kondik |date=December 19, 2024 |access-date=January 6, 2025 |website=Sabato's Crystal Ball |archive-date=January 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250108231924/https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/how-the-states-vote-relative-to-the-nation-a-2024-update/ |url-status=live}} On January 6, 2025, in her role as president of the Senate, Harris oversaw the certification of Trump and Vance as the winners of the election.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/06/us/politics/kamala-harris-electoral-vote-certification.html|title=For Harris, an Awkward Election Task: Certifying the Vote She Lost|first=Peter|last=Baker|work=The New York Times |date=January 6, 2025|via=NYTimes.com}} Had she won, Harris would have been the first female and first Asian-American president of the United States, and the second African-American president after Obama.{{Cite news |date=July 21, 2024 |title=Harris could become the first female president after years of breaking racial and gender barriers |first1=Chris |last1=Megerian |url=https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-president-democrat-biden-96df4c46fab767269056511037776b15 |access-date=August 6, 2024 |work=Associated Press News |archive-date=August 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807074158/https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-president-democrat-biden-96df4c46fab767269056511037776b15 |url-status=live}}

Harris left office on January 20, 2025, succeeded by the 50th vice president of the United States, JD Vance. She and her husband moved to Los Angeles,{{cite web |last1=Gómez |first1=Fin |last2=Cavazos |first2=Nidia |last3=Mosk |first3=Matthew |date=2025-01-19 |title=Harris and Emhoff headed back to California after inauguration; source says they're looking at NYC apartments |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kamala-harris-doug-emhoff-california-new-york/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123181151/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kamala-harris-doug-emhoff-california-new-york/ |archive-date=January 23, 2025 |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=CBS News}} where they helped distribute food to victims of the Palisades Fire.{{Cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/01/20/donald-trump-inauguration-day-news-updates-analysis/post-fires-homecoming-for-harris-00199414 |title=Harris heading home to Los Angeles to help fire victims |first1=Christopher |last1=Cadelago |website=Politico |date=January 20, 2025 |access-date=January 26, 2025}}

On February 18, 2025, Harris signed with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) to focus on speaking and publishing opportunities.{{Cite web |last=Hayden |first=Erik |date=2025-02-18 |title=Kamala Harris Signs With CAA to Plan Next Chapter |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/kamala-harris-caa-1236140519/ |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}} Four days later, she received the Chairman's prize at the 56th NAACP Image Awards.{{Cite web |last=Landrum |first=Jonathan Jr. |date=February 23, 2025 |title=Kamala Harris receives prestigious Chairman's prize at NAACP Image Awards |url=https://apnews.com/article/naacp-image-awards-2025-kamala-harris-wayans-505a7fc692abd4eceb1f47791ecd3991 |access-date=February 24, 2025 |website=Associated Press}}

On March 21, 2025, President Trump took away a courtesy normally extended to former vice presidents by revoking Harris's security clearance.{{cite news|title=Trump revokes security clearance for Harris, Clinton, and critics|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c74kg3e2m08o|publisher=BBC|date=March 22, 2025| first1= Jaroslav| last1= Lukiv | first2= Kayla | last2=Epstein}}

On April 30, 2025, Harris delivered remarks at a gala for the 20th anniversary of Emerge America in which she criticized the Trump administration, mainly for its handling of the economy and social issues.{{cite news|title=Harris accuses Trump of 'wholesale abandonment' of American ideals in major post-election speech|url=https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-speech-california-trump-democrats-governor-7f3fe64bfb93fcd39a5d06c39b2935f7|publisher=Associated Press|date=April 30, 2025}} The next week, Vogue reported that Harris made a surprise appearance and her formal debut at the 2025 Met Gala, dressed in half white and black.{{cite news|title=Kamala Harris Makes Her Met Gala Debut in Dramatic Off-White|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/kamala-harris-off-white-met-gala-2025|publisher=Vogue|date=May 5, 2025}}

Harris has been mentioned as a possible candidate for both the 2026 California gubernatorial election and the 2028 United States presidential election.{{Cite web |last1=Epstein |first1=Reid J. |last2=Rogers |first2=Katie |last3=Green |first3=Erica L. |date=November 7, 2024 |title=What's Next for Kamala Harris? Here Are Six Options. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/07/us/politics/kamala-harris-2028-run-for-president.html |access-date=January 20, 2025 |work=The New York Times |archive-date=January 16, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250116204013/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/07/us/politics/kamala-harris-2028-run-for-president.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last1=Wren |first1=Adam |last2=Cadelago |first2=Christopher |last3=Kashinsky |first3=Lisa |last4=Otterbein |first4=Holly |last5=Schneider |first5=Elena |date=November 11, 2024 |title=Who will lead Democrats in 2028? Meet the leaders positioning themselves to make moves. |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/11/11/2028-shadow-primary-underway-democratic-00188626 |access-date=November 11, 2024 |work=Politico |archive-date=November 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241111203540/https://www.politico.com/news/2024/11/11/2028-shadow-primary-underway-democratic-00188626 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/kamala-harris-donald-trump-presidency-california-governor.html |title=Kamala Harris Hasn't Ruled Out Running for President in 2028 |first=Gabriel |last=Debenedetti |website=New York Magazine |date=January 23, 2025 |access-date=January 23, 2025}} Some reports have indicated that she intends to make a decision about running for governor of California by late summer 2025.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-07 |title=Kamala Harris sets a deadline for her next move |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/07/kamala-harris-california-governor-decision-deadline-00216737 |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=POLITICO |language=en}} According to The Hill, most top Democratic officials have not discouraged the idea of a third Harris presidential bid in 2028, and some have publicly said they would support her should she decide to run again.{{Cite web |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5280304-kamala-harris-senate-democrats-2028-race/ |title=Democrats cautiously open door to another Harris run in 2028 |first=Alexander |last=Bolton | website=The Hill |date=May 4, 2025 |access-date=May 4, 2025}}

{{Main|Electoral history of Kamala Harris}}

{{Main|Political positions of Kamala Harris}}

Harris's domestic platform supports national abortion protections, LGBTQ+ rights, stricter gun control, and limited legislation to address climate change.{{Cite web |date=August 30, 2024 |title=Where does Kamala Harris stand on climate change? |url=https://www.euronews.com/green/2024/08/30/kamala-harris-vs-climate-where-she-stands-on-the-green-new-deal-fossil-fuels-and-pollution |access-date=September 5, 2024 |website=euronews |language=en |archive-date=September 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240906235200/https://www.euronews.com/green/2024/08/30/kamala-harris-vs-climate-where-she-stands-on-the-green-new-deal-fossil-fuels-and-pollution |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Astor |first1=Maggie |date=July 21, 2024 |title=Where Kamala Harris Stands on the Issues: Abortion, Immigration and More |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/21/us/politics/kamala-harris-abortion-immigration-economy-israel.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721215822/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/21/us/politics/kamala-harris-abortion-immigration-economy-israel.html |archive-date=July 21, 2024 |access-date=July 22, 2024 |work=The New York Times}} On immigration, she supports an earned pathway to citizenship and increases in border security, as well as addressing the root causes of illegal immigration by means of the RCS program.{{cite news |last1=Sacchetti |first1=Maria |last2=Rivera |first2=Anthony |last3=Cheeseman |first3=Abbie |last4=McDaniel |first4=Justine |title=Kamala Harris's immigration policies, explained |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=September 10, 2024 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/interactive/2023/presidential-candidates-2024-policies-issues/kamala-harris-immigration/ |access-date=September 10, 2024 |archive-date=September 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240912195309/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/interactive/2023/presidential-candidates-2024-policies-issues/kamala-harris-immigration/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=April 19, 2022 |title=Report on the U.S. Strategy for Addressing the Root causes of Migration in Central America |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/04/19/report-on-the-u-s-strategy-for-addressing-the-root-causes-of-migration-in-central-america/ |access-date=October 17, 2024 |website=The White House |language=en-US |archive-date=September 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917100909/https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/04/19/report-on-the-u-s-strategy-for-addressing-the-root-causes-of-migration-in-central-america/ |url-status=live}}

On foreign policy, Harris supports continued military aid to Ukraine and Israel in their respective wars, but insists that Israel should agree to a ceasefire and hostage deal and work toward a two-state solution.{{Cite news |last1=Al-Sheikh |first1=Y. L. |last2=Fayyazi |first2=Nickan |date=July 26, 2024 |title=Kamala Harris Will Shift on Gaza Only if We Make Her |url=https://www.thenation.com/article/activism/kamala-harris-gaza-policy-pressure/ |access-date=July 30, 2024 |website=The Nation |issn=0027-8378 |archive-date=July 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240727215050/https://www.thenation.com/article/activism/kamala-harris-gaza-policy-pressure/ |url-status=live}} She opposes an arms embargo on Israel.{{Cite web |last=Marans |first=Daniel |date=August 30, 2024 |title=Harris Says She Will Not Impose Stricter Conditions On Weapons For Israel |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kamala-harris-gaza-war-biden-arms-policy_n_66d12f4ee4b0099ccb749660 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911222006/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kamala-harris-gaza-war-biden-arms-policy_n_66d12f4ee4b0099ccb749660 |archive-date=September 11, 2024 |access-date=September 5, 2024 |website=HuffPost |language=en}} Harris has departed from Biden on economic issues, proposing what has been called a "populist" economic agenda.{{Cite news |last1=Ward |first1=Myah |last2=Cancryn |first2=Adam |last3=McGraw |first3=Meridith |date=August 16, 2024 |title=Harris breaks from 'Bidenomics' in North Carolina |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/08/16/kamala-harris-economic-policy-north-carolina-00174451 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240822214005/https://www.politico.com/news/2024/08/16/kamala-harris-economic-policy-north-carolina-00174451 |archive-date=August 22, 2024 |access-date=August 30, 2024 |website=Politico |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last1=Stein |first1=Jeff |last2=Abutaleb |first2=Yasmeen |last3=Diamond |first3=Dan |date=August 16, 2024 |title=Kamala Harris unveils populist policy agenda, with $6,000 credit for newborns |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/08/16/kamala-harris-2024-policy-child-tax-credit/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817013422/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/08/16/kamala-harris-2024-policy-child-tax-credit/ |archive-date=August 17, 2024 |access-date=August 30, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US}}

Harris supports abortion rights, and reproductive health care was central to her presidential campaign.{{Cite web |last=Wright |first=Jasmine |date=2023-06-24 |title=Kamala Harris found her voice on abortion rights in the year after Dobbs. Now she's making it central to her 2024 message |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/24/politics/kamala-harris-abortion-rights/index.html |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=December 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213094038/https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/24/politics/kamala-harris-abortion-rights/index.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Issues – Kamala Harris for President |url=https://kamalaharris.com/issues/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241128072109/https://kamalaharris.com/issues/ |archive-date=November 28, 2024 |access-date=2 December 2024 |website=Harris-Walz}} She has been called "the Biden administration's voice for reproductive rights"{{Cite magazine |last=Mullin |first=Emily |title=Abortion Rights Groups Rush to Back Kamala Harris |date=23 July 2024 |url=https://www.wired.com/story/kamala-harris-2024-election-reproductive-rights-abortion/ |access-date=2024-08-02 |magazine=Wired |language=en-US |issn=1059-1028 |archive-date=December 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241224143124/https://www.wired.com/story/kamala-harris-2024-election-reproductive-rights-abortion/ |url-status=live}} and "the White House's voice of unflinching support for reproductive health rights."{{Cite web |last=Armour |first=Stephanie |date=2024-07-21 |title=Harris, Once Biden's Voice on Abortion, Would Take an Outspoken Approach to Health |url=https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/kamala-harris-health-agenda-abortion-womens-health-2024-election/ |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=KFF Health News |language=en-US |archive-date=December 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241230000925/https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/kamala-harris-health-agenda-abortion-womens-health-2024-election/ |url-status=live}} Several abortion rights and women's organizations supported her after Biden withdrew from the race, with Reproductive Freedom for All saying "there is nobody who has fought as hard [as Harris] for abortion rights and access" and EMILY's List calling her "our most powerful advocate and messenger" on reproductive rights.{{Cite web |date=22 July 2024 |last=Durkee |first=Alison |title=Kamala Harris Could Make Abortion A Bigger Issue In Election Over Biden—Here's Why |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2024/07/22/kamala-harris-could-make-abortion-a-bigger-issue-in-election-over-biden-heres-why/ |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=October 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241005163807/https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2024/07/22/kamala-harris-could-make-abortion-a-bigger-issue-in-election-over-biden-heres-why/ |url-status=live}}

As of 2020, Harris had a 100% rating from the abortion rights advocacy group Planned Parenthood Action Fund, and a 0% rating from the anti-abortion group National Right to Life Committee.{{Cite web |url=https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/evaluations/120012/kamala-harris |access-date=27 August 2024 |title=Kamala Harris's Ratings and Endorsements |date=July 15, 2018 |website=Vote Smart |archive-date=January 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123072551/https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/evaluations/120012/kamala-harris |url-status=live}} EMILY's List endorsed her in 2015, during her senatorial campaign.{{cite news |first=Seema |last=Mehta |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/political/la-me-pc-emilys-list-backs-kamala-harris-senate-bid-20150318-story.html |title=Emily's List backs Kamala Harris' Senate bid |work=Los Angeles Times |date=March 19, 2015 |access-date=27 August 2024 |archive-date=August 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810125612/https://www.latimes.com/local/political/la-me-pc-emilys-list-backs-kamala-harris-senate-bid-20150318-story.html |url-status=live}}

As California attorney general, Harris refused to defend Prop 8 in federal court, and after Prop 8 was struck down in Hollingsworth v. Perry in 2013, she ordered the Los Angeles County Clerk's office to "start the marriages immediately". She officiated at the wedding of the plaintiffs in the case, Kris Perry and Sandy Stier, at San Francisco City Hall.{{Cite web |work=Queerty |first=Alex |last=Reimer |url=https://www.queerty.com/watch-2013-clip-of-kamala-harris-ordering-clerks-to-issue-marriage-licenses-to-gay-couples-immediately-resurfaces-20240723 |date=2024-07-23 |title=WATCH: 2013 clip of Kamala Harris ordering clerks to issue marriage licenses to gay couples 'immediately' resurfaces |access-date=4 October 2024 |archive-date=October 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241029001812/https://www.queerty.com/watch-2013-clip-of-kamala-harris-ordering-clerks-to-issue-marriage-licenses-to-gay-couples-immediately-resurfaces-20240723 |url-status=live}}

As a member of the U.S. Senate, Harris co-sponsored the Equality Act.{{Cite news |first=Chris |last=Johnson |url=https://www.washingtonblade.com/2017/10/25/kamala-harris-rises-as-lgbt-favorite-for-2020-theres-just-one-thing/ |title=Kamala Harris rises as LGBT favorite for 2020{{snd}}there's just one thing |newspaper=Washington Blade |date=October 25, 2017 |access-date=16 October 2024 |archive-date=December 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208040558/https://www.washingtonblade.com/2017/10/25/kamala-harris-rises-as-lgbt-favorite-for-2020-theres-just-one-thing/ |url-status=live}}

In July 2018, Harris led her colleagues in introducing the Gay and Trans Panic Defense Prohibition Act of 2018, a nationwide bill that would curtail the effectiveness of the so-called gay and trans panic defenses, an issue she pioneered as district attorney of San Francisco.{{cite press release |url=https://www.harris.senate.gov/news/press-releases/harris-colleagues-introduce-legislation-to-ban-use-of-gay-and-trans-panic-defense |title=Harris, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Ban Use of Gay and Trans Panic Defense |publisher=Senator Kamala Harris |access-date=May 8, 2020 |date=July 16, 2018 |archive-date=January 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125063404/https://www.harris.senate.gov/news/press-releases/harris-colleagues-introduce-legislation-to-ban-use-of-gay-and-trans-panic-defense }}

In October 2019, Harris participated in a CNN/Human Rights Campaign town hall on LGBTQ rights and pledged her support for "all of the folks who are fighting for equality" in cases that would determine whether gay and transgender people are protected under laws banning federal workplace discrimination.{{cite news |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/465347-democratic-2020-hopefuls-push-lgbtq-agenda-at-town-hall/ |access-date=16 October 2024 |title=Democratic 2020 hopefuls tout LGBTQ plans at town hall |first=Julia |last=Manchester |date=October 10, 2019 |work=The Hill |archive-date=November 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121215925/https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/465347-democratic-2020-hopefuls-push-lgbtq-agenda-at-town-hall/ |url-status=live}} Harris drew attention to the epidemic of hate crimes committed against Black trans women (at the time 20 killed that year), noting that LGBTQ people of color are doubly discriminated against.{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0BiwOZvvkc |access-date=16 October 2024 |title=Kamala Harris at CNN's LGBTQ Town Hall |date=October 10, 2019 |via=YouTube |archive-date=December 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241212174249/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0BiwOZvvkc |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2020/08/12/kamala-harris-trans-rights-trangender-pose-angelica-ross-lgbt/ |access-date=4 October 2024 |first=Reiss |last=Smith |title=Pose star Angelica Ross believes Kamala Harris 'holds herself accountable' on her uneven trans rights record |website=PinkNews |date=August 12, 2020 |archive-date=October 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007172445/https://www.thepinknews.com/2020/08/12/kamala-harris-trans-rights-trangender-pose-angelica-ross-lgbt/ |url-status=live}}

Harris has since been criticized for a 2015 federal court motion she filed to block gender-affirming medical care for a transgender inmate serving in a California state prison while she was California attorney general, after the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals had ruled that denying that treatment violated the 8th Amendment's prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment.{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Chris |title=Harris seeks to block gender reassignment for trans inmate |url=https://www.washingtonblade.com/2015/05/05/harris-renews-effort-to-block-gender-reassignment-for-trans-inmate/ |access-date=23 July 2024 |work=Washington Blade |date=5 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240722133824/https://www.washingtonblade.com/2015/05/05/harris-renews-effort-to-block-gender-reassignment-for-trans-inmate/ |archive-date=July 22, 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Sosin |first1=Kate |title=Kamala Harris is a complicated choice for some LGBTQ+ people |url=https://19thnews.org/2020/08/kamala-harris-complicated-lgbtq-choice/ |website=The 19th News |date=August 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723035303/https://19thnews.org/2020/08/kamala-harris-complicated-lgbtq-choice/ |access-date=23 July 2024 |archive-date=July 23, 2024}}

In December 2018, Harris voted for the First Step Act, legislation aimed at reducing recidivism rates among federal prisoners by expanding job training and other programs, in addition to forming an expansion of early release programs and modifications on sentencing laws such as mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent drug offenders, "to more equitably punish drug offenders".{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/18/us/politics/senate-criminal-justice-bill.html |access-date=16 October 2024 |title=Senate Passes Bipartisan Criminal Justice Bill |first=Nicholas |last=Fandos |date=December 18, 2018 |newspaper=The New York Times |archive-date=February 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212103531/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/18/us/politics/senate-criminal-justice-bill.html |url-status=live}}

In March 2020, Harris was one of 15 senators to sign a letter to the Federal Bureau of Prisons and private prison companies GEO Group, CoreCivic, and Management and Training Corporation requesting information on their strategy to address the COVID-19 pandemic, asserting that it was "critical that [you] have a plan to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus to incarcerated individuals and correctional staff, along with their families and loved ones, and provide treatment to incarcerated individuals and staff who become infected."{{cite news |first=Zack |last=Budryk |url=https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/486907-democratic-senators-ask-prison-operators-for-answers-on-coronavirus-plans/ |access-date=4 October 2024 |title=Democratic senators ask prison operators for answers on coronavirus plans |date=March 10, 2020 |work=The Hill |archive-date=October 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007173412/https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/486907-democratic-senators-ask-prison-operators-for-answers-on-coronavirus-plans/ |url-status=live}}

In June 2020, after a campaign by a coalition of community groups, including Black Lives Matter, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Los Angeles Police Department budget cuts of $150 million.{{cite news |title=Growing the LAPD was gospel at City Hall. George Floyd changed that |first1=James |last1=Rainey |first2=Dakota |last2=Smith |first3=Cindy |last3=Chang |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-06-05/eric-garcetti-lapd-budget-cuts-10000-officers-protests |work=Los Angeles Times |date=June 5, 2020 |access-date=16 October 2024 |archive-date=June 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610182652/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-06-05/eric-garcetti-lapd-budget-cuts-10000-officers-protests |url-status=live}} Harris supported the decision:{{cite news |title=Sen. Kamala Harris voices support of LA Mayor Garcetti's call for police reform, budget cuts |url=https://abc7.com/george-floyd-death-kamala-harris-protests-police-brutality/6239699/ |work=ABC7 News |date=June 10, 2020 |access-date=4 October 2024 |archive-date=December 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206173912/https://abc7.com/george-floyd-death-kamala-harris-protests-police-brutality/6239699/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |first=Alexander |last=Bolton |title=Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/502187-harris-grapples-with-defund-the-police-movement-amid-veep-talk/ |access-date=16 October 2024 |work=The Hill |date=June 11, 2020}}

In 2020 Harris tweeted in support of donations to the Minnesota Freedom Fund, a bail fund assisting those arrested in the George Floyd protests, though she did not donate to the fund herself.{{cite web |last=Murphy |first=Esme |title=Despite Trump claim and 2020 tweet showing support, Harris never donated to Minnesota Freedom Fund |website=CBS Minnesota |date=2024-07-25 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/donald-trump-kamala-harris-minnesota-freedom-fund-donation/ |access-date=2024-07-26}}

Harris's criminal justice record has been seen as mixed, with critics calling her "tough on crime" even though she called herself a "progressive prosecutor", citing her reluctance to release prisoners and anti-truancy policies. In her 2009 book, Harris criticized liberals for what she called "biases against law enforcement".{{Cite web |last=Lopez |first=German |date=2019-01-23 |title=Kamala Harris's controversial record on criminal justice, explained |url=https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2019/1/23/18184192/kamala-harris-president-campaign-criminal-justice-record |access-date=2021-09-04 |website=Vox |language=en |archive-date=August 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821003358/https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2019/1/23/18184192/kamala-harris-president-campaign-criminal-justice-record |url-status=live}}

{{see also|Family of Kamala Harris}}

File:Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff walk the West Colonnade of the White House on May 9, 2024 (cropped).jpg Doug Emhoff at the White House, May 2024]]

In the early 1970s, Harris often went with her mother to Chennai, India, where they stayed with her maternal grandfather. She learned to wear traditional Indian dress and speak a few phrases of the Tamil language.{{Cite web |last=Bengali |first=Shashank |last2=Mason |first2=Melanie |date=2019-10-25 |title=The progressive Indian grandfather who inspired Kamala Harris |url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2019-10-25/how-kamala-harris-indian-family-shaped-her-political-career |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115085455/https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2019-10-25/how-kamala-harris-indian-family-shaped-her-political-career |archive-date=November 15, 2020 |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=Los Angeles Times}}

In the 1990s, Harris dated Willie Brown, Speaker of the California Assembly (1980–1995) and then Mayor of San Francisco (1996–2004). Brown was married but separated from his wife at the time.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/fact-check-kamala-harrisandwillie-brownhad-a-relationshipover-adecadeafte-idUSKBN26Y2RJ/|title=Fact check: Kamala Harris and Willie Brown had a relationship over a decade after he separated from wife |website=reuters.com|date=October 13, 2020}} In 2001, she briefly dated talk show host Montel Williams.{{cite web |url=https://www.insideedition.com/kamala-harris-once-dated-talk-show-host-montel-williams-55097 |title=Kamala Harris Once Dated Talk Show Host Montel Williams |website=Inside Edition |date=August 8, 2019 |access-date=August 8, 2020 |archive-date=May 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518081741/https://www.insideedition.com/kamala-harris-once-dated-talk-show-host-montel-williams-55097 |url-status=live}}

Harris met her husband, attorney Doug Emhoff, through a mutual friend who set them up on a blind date in 2013.{{Cite web |last1=Wright |first1=Jasmine |last2=Stracqualursi |first2=Veronica |date=January 15, 2021 |title=Harris and Emhoff recall first date: 'It felt like we had known each other forever' |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/15/politics/kamala-harris-doug-emhoff-first-date-cnntv/index.html |access-date=January 18, 2021 |publisher=CNN |archive-date=January 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117231947/https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/15/politics/kamala-harris-doug-emhoff-first-date-cnntv/index.html |url-status=live}} Emhoff, who was born in a Jewish family, was an entertainment lawyer who became partner-in-charge at Venable LLP's Los Angeles office.{{cite news |last1=Wright |first1=Jasmine |date=November 20, 2021 |title=Second family becomes first to affix a mezuzah on executive home' |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/20/politics/mezuzah-vice-president-home/index.htmll |access-date=January 18, 2024 |publisher=CNN}}{{cite web |url=https://www.venable.com/douglas-c-emhoff/ |title=Douglas C. Emhoff |publisher=Venable LLP |access-date=May 28, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706110444/https://www.venable.com/douglas-c-emhoff/ |archive-date=July 6, 2017 }} Harris and Emhoff married on August 22, 2014, in Santa Barbara, California.{{cite news |first1=David |last1=Siders |url=https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article2607685.html |title=Kamala Harris married in Santa Barbara ceremony |work=The Sacramento Bee |date=August 25, 2014 |access-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-date=August 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817181737/https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article2607685.html |url-status=live}} Harris is stepmother to Emhoff's two children, Cole and Ella, from his previous marriage to the film producer Kerstin Emhoff.{{cite web |url=https://www.elle.com/culture/career-politics/a27422434/kamala-harris-stepmom-mothers-day/ |title=Sen. Kamala Harris on Being 'Momala' |last1=Harris |first1=Kamala |date=May 10, 2019 |website=Elle |access-date=May 11, 2019 |archive-date=August 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812185005/https://www.elle.com/culture/career-politics/a27422434/kamala-harris-stepmom-mothers-day/ |url-status=live}} {{as of|2024|08|df=US}}, Harris and her husband had an estimated net worth of $8{{nbsp}}million.{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kylemullins/2024/05/26/heres-how-much-kamala-harris-is-worth/ |first1=Kyle |last1=Khan-Mullins |date=May 26, 2024 |title=Here's How Much Kamala Harris is Worth |website=Forbes |access-date=August 22, 2024 |archive-date=August 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240822075348/https://www.forbes.com/sites/kylemullins/2024/05/26/heres-how-much-kamala-harris-is-worth/ |url-status=live}}{{cite magazine |first1=Simmone |last1=Shah |url=https://time.com/7001574/kamala-harris-net-worth/ |title=What We Know About Kamala Harris' Net Worth |date=July 23, 2024 |magazine=Time |access-date=August 22, 2024 |archive-date=August 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240822092809/https://time.com/7001574/kamala-harris-net-worth/ |url-status=live}}

Harris is a Baptist, holding membership of the Third Baptist Church of San Francisco, a congregation of the American Baptist Churches USA.{{Cite web |title=Kamala Harris talks about her own faith and how it might influence a Biden-Harris White House |url=https://religionnews.com/2020/10/28/kamala-harris-talks-about-her-own-faith-and-how-it-might-influence-a-biden-harris-white-house/ |access-date=November 9, 2020 |last1=Mwaura |first1=Maina |website=Religion News Service |date=October 28, 2020 |archive-date=November 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107114102/https://religionnews.com/2020/10/28/kamala-harris-talks-about-her-own-faith-and-how-it-might-influence-a-biden-harris-white-house/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |title=Harris brings Baptist, interfaith roots to Democratic ticket |access-date=August 13, 2020 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/harris-brings-baptist-interfaith-roots-to-democratic-ticket/2020/08/12/2d319e6a-dc57-11ea-b4f1-25b762cdbbf4_story.html |last1=Schor |first1=Elana |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=August 12, 2020 |archive-date=September 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903200811/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/harris-brings-baptist-interfaith-roots-to-democratic-ticket/2020/08/12/2d319e6a-dc57-11ea-b4f1-25b762cdbbf4_story.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=5 faith facts about Biden's veep pick, Kamala Harris – a Baptist with Hindu family |first1=Yonat |last1=Shimron |url=https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2020/08/12/faith-facts-about-bidens/ |date=August 12, 2020 |access-date=August 13, 2020 |website=The Salt Lake Tribune |archive-date=August 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812175945/https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2020/08/12/faith-facts-about-bidens/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Find A Church |url=https://www.abc-usa.org/find-a-church/ |access-date=August 13, 2020 |website=ABCUSA |archive-date=August 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806062430/https://www.abc-usa.org/find-a-church/ |url-status=live}} She is a member of The Links, an invitation-only social and service organization of prominent Black American women.{{cite news |date=August 22, 2020 |title=America's black upper class and Black Lives Matter |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/united-states/2020/08/22/americas-black-upper-class-and-black-lives-matter |access-date=July 21, 2021 |archive-date=February 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207154050/https://www.economist.com/united-states/2020/08/22/americas-black-upper-class-and-black-lives-matter |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last1=Pitts |first1=Myron B. |title=Myron B. Pitts: Sen. Kamala Harris, VP-elect, shines light on The Links |date=November 14, 2020 |url=https://www.fayobserver.com/story/news/columns/2020/11/14/myron-b-pitts-sen-kamala-harris-vp-elect-shines-light-links/6180696002/ |access-date=February 7, 2022 |website=The Fayetteville Observer |archive-date=February 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207185038/https://www.fayobserver.com/story/news/columns/2020/11/14/myron-b-pitts-sen-kamala-harris-vp-elect-shines-light-links/6180696002/ |url-status=live}} Harris is a gun owner.{{cite news |last1=Megerian |first1=Chris |title=Kamala Harris, gun owner, talks firearms at debate |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/kamala-harris-gun-owner-talks-firearms-debate-113587365 |newspaper=ABC News |access-date=September 11, 2024 |date=September 10, 2024 |archive-date=September 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911155136/https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/kamala-harris-gun-owner-talks-firearms-debate-113587365 |url-status=live}}

{{Main|Public image of Kamala Harris}}Though the public had an unfavorable view of Harris as vice president, setting a record low, her public image improved after Biden withdrew his candidacy for reelection. Notably, her approval rating rose 13% among Democrats.{{cite web |last=Brenan |first=Megan |date=August 22, 2024 |title=Democrats Give Harris Nearly Unanimous Positive Ratings |url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/649127/democrats-give-harris-nearly-unanimous-positive-ratings.aspx |access-date=August 23, 2024 |website=Gallup.com |language=en |archive-date=August 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240822235159/https://news.gallup.com/poll/649127/democrats-give-harris-nearly-unanimous-positive-ratings.aspx |url-status=live}}File:You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?.webm" during a speech on May 10, 2023.]]

Harris experienced high staff turnover during her vice-presidential tenure, including the departures of her chief of staff, deputy chief of staff, press secretary, deputy press secretary, communications director, and chief speechwriter.{{cite news |last1=Cadelago |first1=Christopher |last2=Lippman |first2=Daniel |last3=Daniels |first3=Eugene |date=December 4, 2021 |title='Not a healthy environment': Kamala Harris' office rife with dissent |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/06/30/kamala-harris-office-dissent-497290 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220624123821/https://www.politico.com/news/2021/06/30/kamala-harris-office-dissent-497290 |archive-date=June 24, 2022 |access-date=June 27, 2022 |newspaper=Politico}} Critics alleged that this turnover reflected dysfunction and demoralization. Axios reported that at least some of the turnover was due to exhaustion from a demanding transition into the new administration, as well as financial and personal considerations.{{cite news |first1=Alexi |last1=McCammond |first2=Sarah |last2=Mucha |url=https://www.axios.com/2021/12/03/harris-turnover |title=Burnout, money, fear drive turnover in Harris's office |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221191337/https://www.axios.com/2021/12/03/harris-turnover |archive-date=February 21, 2024 |work=Axios |date=December 3, 2021 |access-date=August 18, 2024}} For most of her tenure, Harris had one of the lowest approval ratings of any vice president.{{cite news |last=Fossett |first=Katelyn |title=What's going on with Kamala's poll numbers? |url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/women-rule/2021/11/12/whats-going-on-with-kamalas-poll-numbers-495086 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131143808/https://www.politico.com/newsletters/women-rule/2021/11/12/whats-going-on-with-kamalas-poll-numbers-495086 |date=November 12, 2021 |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |access-date=January 31, 2023 |newspaper=Politico}}{{cite news |last=Ting |first=Eric |date=November 8, 2021 |title=Kamala Harris has a comically bad approval rating, poll finds |url=https://www.sfgate.com/national-politics/article/Kamala-Harris-approval-rating-poll-history-Biden-16602512.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131143807/https://www.sfgate.com/national-politics/article/Kamala-Harris-approval-rating-poll-history-Biden-16602512.php |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |access-date=January 31, 2023 |work=San Francisco Chronicle}}{{cite web |last=Oshin |first=Olafimihan |date=June 26, 2023 |title=Poll: Kamala Harris sets record low for Vice President net favorability |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/4069023-poll-kamala-harris-sets-record-low-for-vice-president-net-favorability/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627015642/https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/4069023-poll-kamala-harris-sets-record-low-for-vice-president-net-favorability/ |archive-date=June 27, 2023 |access-date=June 26, 2023 |newspaper=The Hill}} According to a RealClear Politics polling average, a record low of 34.8% of Americans had a favorable view of her in August 2022, but this number rose rapidly after she became the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee in July 2024. Harris had a net favorable rating by September 9.{{Cite web |title=Kamala Harris Favorable/Unfavorable Ratings Polls |url=https://www.realclearpolling.com/polls/favorability/kamala-harris |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806232508/https://www.realclearpolling.com/polls/favorability/kamala-harris |archive-date=August 6, 2024 |access-date=August 6, 2024 |website=RealClearPolling}}

In 2024, a video clip from 2023 of Harris saying "You think you just fell out of a coconut tree? You exist in the context of all in which you live and what came before you" at a White House event went viral.{{Cite news |last=DeLetter |first=Emily |date=July 21, 2024 |title='You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?' Kamala Harris meme resurfaces after Biden drops out |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/07/21/coconut-tree-meme-kamala-harris/74466581007/ |access-date=July 22, 2024 |newspaper=USA Today |archive-date=July 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721231308/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/07/21/coconut-tree-meme-kamala-harris/74466581007/ |url-status=live}} Since the launch of her 2024 presidential campaign, that and other Harris remarks have been widely shared as memes, resulting in press coverage of her public image.{{cite news |last1=Touma |first1=Rafqa |last2=Cassidy |first2=Caitlin |date=July 22, 2024 |title=What is the Kamala Harris coconut tree meme and why is everyone sharing it? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/article/2024/jul/22/kamala-harris-coconut-tree-meme |access-date=July 22, 2024 |newspaper=The Guardian |archive-date=July 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731093605/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/article/2024/jul/22/kamala-harris-coconut-tree-meme |url-status=live}}{{cite news |first1=Amanda |last1=Hess |date=July 23, 2024 |title=The Triumphant Comeback of the Kamala Harris Meme |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/23/arts/kamala-harris-tiktok-trump.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723165630/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/23/arts/kamala-harris-tiktok-trump.html |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |access-date=July 23, 2024 |newspaper=The New York Times}}

{{Anchor|Cackling Kamala}}Harris's often boisterous laughter{{efn|In terms of its type, it is often described as a cackle or guffaw.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/07/30/kamala-harriss-powerful-laughter-face-weirdness/ |title=Kamala Harris's powerful laughter in the face of weirdness |date=July 30, 2024 |last=Givhan |first=Robin |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=August 2, 2024 |archive-date=July 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731004517/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/07/30/kamala-harriss-powerful-laughter-face-weirdness/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2024-07-24/kamala-harris-memes-coconut-brat-summer |title=Coconuts, 'brat summer' and that laugh: The memeing of Kamala Harris |date=July 24, 2024 |last1=Ebeledike |first1=Neenma |last2=Bonilla |first2=Emely |last3=Hayempour |first3=Kayla |last4=Branson-Potts |first4=Hailey |access-date=August 2, 2024 |archive-date=July 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725000607/https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2024-07-24/kamala-harris-memes-coconut-brat-summer |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/28/arts/kamala-harris-laugh.html |title=Kamala Harris's Laugh Is a Campaign Issue. Our Comedy Critic Weighs in |date=July 28, 2024 |newspaper=The New York Times |last=Zinoman |first=Jason |access-date=August 2, 2024 |archive-date=August 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802205027/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/28/arts/kamala-harris-laugh.html |url-status=live}} An example of it can be seen in the "coconut tree" video exhibited on the right of this section.}} has been called one of her "most defining and most dissected personal traits".{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/power/2024/07/31/kamala-harris-laugh/ |title=What's in Kamala Harris's laugh? |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=July 31, 2024 |last1=Judkis |first1=Maura |last2=Voght |first2=Kara |access-date=August 2, 2024 |archive-date=July 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731123220/https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/power/2024/07/31/kamala-harris-laugh/ |url-status=live}} She says she got her laugh from her mother.{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/kamala-harris-drew-barrymore-interview-laugh-v0nn2v5tr |title=Kamala Harris defends 'cackle' derided by her rivals |last=Southern |first=Keiran |date=April 30, 2024 |newspaper=The Times |access-date=August 2, 2024 |archive-date=August 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802205027/https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/kamala-harris-drew-barrymore-interview-laugh-v0nn2v5tr |url-status=live}}

Harris has written two nonfiction books and one children's book.

• {{cite book |last1=Harris |first1=Kamala |last2=O'C. Hamilton |first2=Joan |year=2009 |title=Smart on Crime: A Career Prosecutor's Plan to Make Us Safer |title-link=Smart on Crime: A Career Prosecutor's Plan to Make Us Safer |location=San Francisco |publisher=Chronicle Books |isbn=978-0-8118-6528-9}}
• {{cite book |last=Harris |first=Kamala |date=January 8, 2019 |title=The Truths We Hold: An American Journey |title-link=The Truths We Hold |location=London |publisher=Penguin |isbn=978-1-9848-8622-4}}
• {{cite book |last=Harris |first=Kamala |date=January 8, 2019 |title=Superheroes Are Everywhere |title-link=Superheroes Are Everywhere |location=London |publisher=Penguin Young Readers Group |isbn=978-1-9848-3749-3}}

• Black women in American politics
• Charles Curtis
• Vice presidency of Kamala Harris
• US Senate career of Kamala Harris
• List of African-American United States Cabinet members
• List of African-American United States Senate candidates
• List of African-American United States senators
• List of Asian Americans and Pacific Islands Americans in the United States Congress
• List of female state attorneys general in the United States
• List of female United States Cabinet members
• List of female United States presidential and vice presidential candidates
• List of United States politicians of Indian descent
• List of United States senators from California
• Women in the United States Senate

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist|refs=

}}

• {{cite book |last=Johnson-Batiste |first=Stacey L. |title=Friends from the Beginning: The Berkeley Village That Raised Kamala and Me |publisher=Twelve Books |date=2021 |isbn=978-1-5387-0748-7}}
• {{cite book |last=Morain |first=Dan |title=Kamala's Way |date=2021 |publisher=Simon & Schuster |isbn=978-1-3985-0485-1}}

{{sister project links|d=Q10853588|c=Category:Kamala_Harris|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|s=Author:Kamala_Devi_Harris|wikt=no|species=no}}

{{Library resources box|about=yes|by=no}}

• [https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/administration/vice-president-harris/ Vice President Kamala Harris] official website (archived)
• [https://kamalaharris.com/ Official website]
• [https://www.congress.gov/member/kamala-harris/H001075 Senator Kamala D. Harris] (2017–2021)

• [https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=kamala+harris&btnG= Books and articles on or by Kamala Harris] at Google Scholar
• {{C-SPAN}}
• [https://www.ontheissues.org/Kamala_Harris.htm Kamala Harris] at On the Issues
• [https://www.politifact.com/personalities/kamala-harris/ Kamala Harris] at PolitiFact

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Category:Women members of the Cabinet of the United States

Category:Women prosecutors

Category:Women vice presidents in North America

Category:Women's firsts

Category:Writers from Oakland, California

Category:1964 births

Category:Living people

Category:Articles containing video clips