Kamala Harris: What to know about her before she accepts the Democratic Party's nomination for president
A brief guide to her background, historic firsts and record as VP.
Vice President Kamala Harris already secured the delegate votes necessary to become the Democratic nominee for president earlier this month, but she will formally accept the nomination at the party's national convention in Chicago this week.
The DNC will be the party's opportunity to officially introduce Harris, who was endorsed by President Biden to replace him on the Democratic presidential ticket when he dropped out of the race last month, to the country.
Here’s what to know about her before she takes the stage at the DNC.
Her bio (in brief)
Name: Kamala Devi Harris
Date of birth: Oct. 20, 1964, Oakland, Calif.
Education: Howard University (BA, 1986); University of California, Hastings College of the Law (JD, 1989)
Parents: Shyamala Gopalan, a cancer researcher from India, and Donald Harris, an economist from Jamaica; Gopalan died in 2009
Sibling: Maya Harris, younger sister
Spouse: Doug Emhoff, second gentleman (m. 2014)
Children: None together; Emhoff has two children, Cole and Ella, from his previous marriage
Her historic firsts
Harris was the first Black woman in California to be elected district attorney when she won the race to become San Francisco's DA in 2003.
Harris was the first woman and first African American to be elected attorney general of California.
Harris was the first woman, first African American and first Asian American to be elected vice president in the history of the United States.
Her husband, Doug Emhoff, became the first second gentleman in U.S. history, and is the first Jewish spouse of an American president or vice president.
If elected, Harris would be the first woman and first Asian American president in U.S. history.
Her record as VP
Abortion rights: Harris has been a key figure in the administration's response to the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. During the 2022 midterms, she pushed Democrats to prioritize the issue of reproductive rights. And earlier this year, she gave a fiery speech during a reproductive freedom rally at her alma mater, Howard University, blasting the "extremist so-called leaders" in states that have passed restrictive abortion bans.
Voting rights: Harris has also been heavily involved in the White House effort to codify voting rights. In 2023, she pushed for Congress to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act that would have extended the protections of the 1965 Voting Rights Act and required federal approval for some local election law changes. But the effort failed when then-Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema opposed changing the Senate's filibuster in order to pass it.
Immigration: Shortly after taking office, Harris was tapped by Biden to spearhead the administration's efforts to address the crisis at the southern border. But she didn't visit the border for months and then appeared to downplay the crisis, drawing criticism from Republicans and some Democrats.
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Read the full text of Biden’s letter announcing his decision. “I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down.” [Yahoo News]
Timeline: Biden exit caps tumultuous three weeks in U.S. politics. “Here’s a summary of the milestone events in a roller coaster period in U.S. politics.” [The Guardian]
Biden's 2024 reelection bid meets its ultimate match: Time. “Yahoo News' analysis on the president's big decision, and how we got here.” [Yahoo News]
Political reactions to Biden's decision. “America is a better place today because President Joe Biden has led us with intellect, grace and dignity. We are forever grateful," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said. [Reuters]
Americans react to Biden's historic decision. “Finally a brave act from a politician." [USA Today]
Obama calls Biden 'patriot of the highest order' after Biden drops out of 2024 race. “Joe Biden has been one of America’s most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me. Today, we’ve also been reminded — again — that he’s a patriot of the highest order.” [Yahoo News]
House Republicans say Biden must resign after ending reelection campaign. “If Joe Biden can’t run for re-election, he is unable and unfit to serve as President of the United States. He must immediately resign,” House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik said. [The Hill]
Now that Biden dropped out, what happens to his campaign funds? “If Vice President Kamala Harris is the new nominee, will she get access to those funds? If one of the other rumored Democratic options gets picked, can they use that money?” [Yahoo News]
FAQ: How will Democrats pick a new presidential nominee? “What’s next for the Democratic Party as they hurtle toward a convention and the November election against Republican nominee Donald Trump?” [Yahoo News]
Until 1968, presidential candidates were picked by party conventions — a process revived by Biden’s withdrawal from race. “The tradition of picking a nominee through primaries and caucuses – and not through what is called the ‘convention system’ – is relatively recent.” [The Conversation]
Who will replace Biden as the new Democratic nominee? “Here are some of the hypothetical Biden replacements being discussed — along with how they ranked among voters in a Yahoo News/YouGov poll conducted after the debate.” [Yahoo News]
Harris says she intends to ‘earn and win’ Democratic nomination. “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.” [Yahoo News]
Harris' 2020 campaign was a mess. If she ends up atop the ticket, this time could be a lot different. “Admirers say that Harris has grown in the job.” [NBC News]
Would America be ready for President Kamala Harris? “But from the start, there has been a hesitancy to fully embrace the country’s second-in-command, with some Democrats openly overlooking her.” [USA Today]
Democrats rally behind Kamala Harris in bid to avert divisive party convention. “Democratic donors who had pressured Biden to drop out of the race wasted no time in throwing their support behind Harris, the New York Times reported, quickly raising millions of dollars.” [Yahoo News]
Harris fans are sharing their support all over the internet. “Members of 'KHive' — a play on Beyoncé's 'Beyhive' fan club — are making fancams and memes of the vice president as she now seeks the Democratic nomination.” [Yahoo News]
