Kamala Harris

Kamala Harris Accepts Democratic Presidential Nomination: A Historic Milestone

Vice President Kamala Harris officially accepted the Democratic presidential nomination on August 22 at the Democratic National Convention, making history as the first Black woman and Asian American to lead a major party’s presidential ticket. In her acceptance speech, Harris emphasized her background and urged Americans to “chart a new way forward,” positioning herself in stark contrast to the Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump.

Reflecting on her career dedicated to public service, Harris declared, “My entire career, I’ve only had one client: the people.” She continued, “On behalf of every American, regardless of party, race, gender, or the language your grandmother speaks, on behalf of my mother and everyone who has ever set out on their own unlikely journey… I accept your nomination to be president of the United States of America.”

The 59-year-old’s powerful speech concluded with a standing ovation, closing out the DNC on a high note. Harris’ candidacy gained swift momentum after President Joe Biden announced he would not seek reelection, making her the presumptive nominee. She was officially nominated on August 5, following a virtual roll call in which she secured the majority of delegate votes. The next day, Harris introduced Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate on the Democratic ticket.

Her campaign has already raised over $500 million and secured endorsements from influential figures across politics and entertainment. Notable supporters include former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, former First Lady Michelle Obama, and performers such as Ariana Grande, Barbra Streisand, and Olivia Rodrigo. Media mogul Oprah Winfrey also made her political convention debut to endorse Harris for president.

Kamala Harris’ personal story reflects her commitment to public service and justice. Born to immigrant parents, she experienced her parents’ divorce at the age of seven and later moved to Montreal with her mother and sister. In Canada, she demonstrated her leadership skills early by organizing a protest against a building owner who restricted children’s access to a lawn.

Harris attended Westmount High School in Montreal before returning to the U.S. to study at Howard University in Washington, D.C. There, she earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics, becoming actively involved in campus politics and debate. She later earned her juris doctor from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, in 1989, launching a distinguished legal career that would eventually lead her to the highest levels of American politics.

As the campaign progresses, Harris continues to inspire voters with her vision of unity and progress, urging Americans to join her in building a more inclusive and just future.

Legal Career

Kamala Harris began her legal career after being admitted to the State Bar of California in 1990, serving as a deputy district attorney in Alameda County. In 1998, she became the managing attorney of the Career Criminal Unit in the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office. Two years later, she was appointed chief of the Community and Neighborhood Division, where she launched California’s first Bureau of Children’s Justice.

San Francisco District Attorney

In 2003, Harris was elected San Francisco’s district attorney, defeating her former boss, Terence Hallinan. As DA, she introduced the “Back on Track” initiative, a program aimed at reducing recidivism by providing job training and educational opportunities for low-level offenders. However, she faced controversy for upholding a campaign promise not to seek the death penalty in the case of a gang member convicted of killing a police officer, a decision that drew significant public scrutiny.

California Attorney General

In 2010, Harris narrowly won the election to become California’s attorney general, the first African American and woman to hold the position. She made an early impact by renegotiating a $20 million settlement with major financial institutions over improper mortgage practices—five times the initial proposed amount. Harris also made headlines for her refusal to defend Proposition 8, a 2008 California ballot measure banning same-sex marriage. After the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed the appeal in 2013, she officiated the first same-sex marriage in California since the measure’s passage.

Additionally, she pursued high-profile legal cases, including a lawsuit against the for-profit Corinthian Colleges for false advertising and a legal battle against Backpage, an advertising platform involved in facilitating prostitution. Her efforts led to the CEO of Backpage pleading guilty to prostitution-related charges and money laundering.

U.S. Senator

In 2016, Harris won a U.S. Senate seat, becoming the second Black woman and first South Asian American to serve in the chamber. She was appointed to key Senate committees, including Homeland Security, Intelligence, Judiciary, and Budget. Harris gained national attention for her sharp questioning during Senate hearings, particularly in her interactions with Brett Kavanaugh during his Supreme Court confirmation and U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions in the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

As a senator, Harris supported progressive causes such as single-payer healthcare and introduced legislation aimed at addressing urban housing costs and expanding access to outdoor recreation in cities. She resigned from the Senate in January 2021 to assume the role of U.S. vice president.

2020 Presidential Campaign

On January 21, 2019, Harris announced her candidacy for the 2020 presidential election. Launching her campaign in Oakland, California, she quickly emerged as a top contender, joining fellow Democratic senators Elizabeth Warren and Kirsten Gillibrand in the race to challenge President Donald Trump.

Harris stood out during the Democratic primary debates, notably criticizing Joe Biden for his opposition to federal busing for school integration. However, her campaign faced challenges, including internal disputes and declining poll numbers. Despite advocating for Trump’s impeachment and focusing on women’s reproductive health, Harris suspended her campaign in December 2019 due to falling support. Months later, she was selected as Joe Biden’s running mate, giving her another opportunity to join the Democratic ticket.

Kamala Harris: The First Female Vice President in U.S. History

In August 2020, just days before accepting the Democratic nomination, presidential candidate Joe Biden announced Kamala Harris, his former primary opponent, as his running mate. Biden praised her work as California’s Attorney General, especially her collaboration with his late son, Beau, in tackling issues like corporate misconduct and protecting vulnerable communities. Harris made history as the first Black woman and the first person of South Asian descent to be nominated for national office by a major U.S. political party. She became only the fourth woman in U.S. history to compete on a major party’s presidential ticket.

On November 7, 2020, after a closely watched election, Biden was declared the 46th president-elect, securing the electoral votes of Pennsylvania. This victory marked a milestone for Harris, who became the first female, Black, and Asian American vice president in U.S. history. At a victory rally in Wilmington, Delaware, Harris, dressed in a white pantsuit symbolizing the suffragette movement, expressed gratitude to the voters, her family, and Biden, while giving a heartfelt tribute to her mother.

Harris was officially sworn in as vice president on January 20, 2021, by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Throughout her term, Harris has represented the U.S. internationally, engaging with over 150 world leaders and reinforcing global partnerships. In December 2023, she broke a nearly 200-year-old record by casting her 32nd and 33rd tiebreaking votes in the Senate.

Since 2023, Harris has spearheaded the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, tackling critical issues such as immigration, voting rights, and reproductive freedom. In March 2024, she made history again by becoming the first American vice president or president to visit a health center that provides abortion services.

2024 Presidential Campaign

In 2024, Harris initially ran as vice president alongside President Joe Biden for a second term. The pair faced minimal opposition in the Democratic primaries, securing the party’s nomination. However, in a significant turn of events, Biden withdrew from the race on July 21, 2024, endorsing Harris as his successor. Harris pledged to unite the Democratic Party and the country to defeat former President Donald Trump in the upcoming election.

Support for Harris quickly gained momentum, and by August 5, 2024, she was officially nominated as the Democratic candidate, making her the first Black woman and Asian American to lead a major party’s presidential ticket. The following day, Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate.

Authorship and Publications

In addition to her political career, Harris has authored several books. In 2019, she released The Truths We Hold: An American Journey, a memoir that delves into her personal life and political philosophy, and Superheroes Are Everywhere, a picture book aimed at inspiring children. Her first book, Smart on Crime: A Career Prosecutor’s Plan to Make Us Safer, published in 2009, outlines her approach to criminal justice reform.

Family Life

Kamala Harris married attorney Doug Emhoff on August 22, 2014, after meeting him on a blind date arranged by mutual friends. Emhoff, who became the first-ever second gentleman of the United States in 2021, has two children from a previous marriage—Ella and Cole Emhoff—who affectionately call Harris “Momala.” Harris has spoken warmly of her relationship with her stepchildren, describing them as brilliant and creative individuals who played a key role in her bond with Emhoff.

Cole Emhoff, named after jazz legend John Coltrane, was born in 1994 and works in film production, contributing to projects like Minari (2020) and Father of the Bride (2022). Ella Emhoff, born in 1999 and named after jazz icon Ella Fitzgerald, is a model and fashion designer.

Net Worth

As of July 2024, Kamala Harris has an estimated net worth of $8 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Much of her wealth is attributed to her husband Doug Emhoff’s career, though Harris also earns a salary of $235,000 as vice president.