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Kamala D. Harris
Education
Kamala Harris attended Howard University, a historically Black university in Washington, D.C., where she earned her bachelor's degree in political science and economics. She went on to earn her law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.
Experience
Harris began her career as a deputy district attorney in Alameda County, California, handling cases on domestic violence, gang violence, and drug trafficking. In 2004, she was elected as the District Attorney of San Francisco, where she focused on criminal justice reform initiatives. She then served as California's Attorney General from 2011 to 2017, advocating for consumer protections and criminal justice reforms. In 2017, Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate, where she worked on issues such as healthcare access, criminal justice reform, and immigration policy.
Family
Kamala Harris is married to Douglas Emhoff, an attorney who has become publicly involved in her political career, especially since her vice-presidential candidacy. Harris and Emhoff have two stepchildren, Cole and Ella, from Emhoff’s previous marriage.
Personal Statement (Following President Joe Biden's Withdrawal from the 2024 Election)
On behalf of the American people, I thank Joe Biden for his extraordinary leadership as President of the United States and for his decades of service to our country. His remarkable legacy of accomplishment is unmatched in modern American history, surpassing the legacy of many Presidents who have served two terms in office.
It is a profound honor to serve as his Vice President, and I am deeply grateful to the President, Dr. Biden, and the entire Biden family. I first came to know President Biden through his son Beau. We were friends from our days working together as Attorneys General of our home states. As we worked together, Beau would tell me stories about his Dad. The kind of father—and the kind of man—he was. And the qualities Beau revered in his father are the same qualities, the same values, I have seen every single day in Joe’s leadership as President: His honesty and integrity. His big heart and commitment to his faith and his family. And his love of our country and the American people.
With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else.
I am honored to have the President’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party—and unite our nation—to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda.
We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win. Official Statement
Community Involvement and Recognition
Harris has a longstanding involvement with organizations that support education and justice initiatives. She has served on the board of the San Francisco Foundation, which provides grants to support public education and social justice projects. Throughout her public service career, Harris has been recognized for her contributions to criminal justice reform, receiving endorsements from advocacy groups for her work on reducing racial disparities in the legal system. As a prominent figure in politics, she has been acknowledged with awards such as the Thurgood Marshall Award, underscoring her influence in the fields of law and public policy.
Controversies and Critiques
Kamala Harris has faced scrutiny regarding her record as a prosecutor, particularly related to her approach to criminal justice policies while serving as Attorney General. Critics argue that some of her policies disproportionately affected marginalized communities, including her support for mandatory minimum sentences. In 2020, during her presidential campaign, her past record became a point of contention among her opponents, leading to debates over her views on police reform and accountability.