was Kamala Harris qualified

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Kamala Devi Harris

Official Portrait

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Summary

Early Life and Career

Kamala Harris was born in Oakland, California, to parents of Jamaican and Indian descent. She spent her early years in Berkeley and Montreal, attending F.A.C.E. School and Westmount High School. Harris graduated from Howard University with a degree in political science and economics, and earned her Juris Doctor from UC Hastings College of the Law. Her early career included work as a deputy district attorney in Alameda County, where she prosecuted cases involving violent crime and sexual assault. Harris quickly rose through the ranks, becoming District Attorney of San Francisco, Attorney General of California, and later U.S. Senator. Her upbringing in a multicultural family and exposure to civil rights activism shaped her commitment to justice, equality, and public service.

Personal Information

  • Full Name: Kamala Devi Harris
  • Nicknames: Momala, Vice President Harris, VPOTUS46
  • Date of Birth: October 20, 1964
  • Place of Birth: Oakland Medical Center, Oakland, California, USA
  • Height: 1.57m (5’2″)
  • Gender: Female (She/Her)
  • Ethnicity: African American, South Asian (Tamil), Indian American, Multiracial
  • Religion: Baptist
  • Languages: English (Native), American English, African American Vernacular English
  • Citizenship: United States
  • Residences: Los Angeles, CA; Washington, D.C.; Previously West Berkeley & Oakland, CA
  • Marital Status: Married to Doug Emhoff (since August 22, 2014)
  • Children: Stepmother to Ella and Cole Emhoff
  • Siblings: Maya Harris (younger sister)

Education

  • University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (Hastings)

    • Juris Doctor (JD), 1989

  • Howard University

    • Bachelor of Arts, Majors: Political Science and Economics, 1986
  • Westmount High School, Montreal – Grad. 1981
  • F.A.C.E. School, Montreal

Career

Vice President of the United States

Jan 20, 2021 – Jan 20, 2025

  • 49th Vice President, first woman and person of African/Asian American heritage in the role.
  • Presides over the Senate; critical participation in major infrastructure, judiciary, health, and foreign policy.
  • Selected by Joe Biden in August 2020 as running mate; won 2020 election.
  • Advocated for racial justice, COVID-19 response, and economic equity.
  • Represented the US in high-level international summits and bilateral missions.

United States Senator – California (Class 3)

Jan 3, 2017 – Jan 18, 2021

  • First South Asian and second African-American woman in Senate.
  • Committees: Select Committee on Intelligence, Judiciary Committee
  • Lead voice on immigration, social justice, affordable healthcare.

Attorney General of California

Jan 3, 2011 – Jan 3, 2017

  • First woman, first African American, and first Asian American in the role.
  • Managed California DOJ, world’s largest state justice department.
  • Leadership in consumer and environmental rights, marriage equality, police accountability.

District Attorney, City & County of San Francisco

Jan 8, 2004 – Jan 3, 2011

  • First woman and first African American in office.
  • Introduced “Back on Track” anti-recidivism initiative.
  • Emphasized alternative sentencing for non-violent offenders.

Deputy District Attorney, Alameda County

1990 – 1998

  • Prosecuted homicides, robberies, sexual assault, developed early career in criminal justice.

U.S. Senator and Presidential Candidate

Kamala Harris 2024 Presidential Campaign

  • Campaign Name: Kamala Harris 2024 presidential campaign (Wikidata Q127688121)
  • Election: 2024 United States presidential election
  • Start Date: July 21, 2024
  • End Date: November 6, 2024
  • Headquarters: Wilmington, Delaware
  • Address: 1000 N. West St, Fl. 6, Wilmington, DE 19801
  • Logo:
    Campaign Logo
  • Mottos: “Let’s win this”, “When we fight, we win”, “We’re not going back”
  • Hashtags: #Harris2024, #Kamala2024, #KamalaHarris2024, #HarrisWalz
  • Official Website: kamalaharris.com
  • Campaign Manager: Julie Chavez Rodriguez
  • Chairperson: Jen O’Malley Dillon
  • Running Mate: Tim Walz
  • Organizer: Democratic Party
  • Replaces: Joe Biden 2024 presidential campaign
  • Endorsed by: Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, Reid Hoffman, EMILY’s List, Priorities USA Action, Gretchen Whitmer, Bill Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama

Kamala Harris launched her 2024 presidential campaign following the withdrawal of Joe Biden from the race. The campaign, headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, was managed by Julie Chavez Rodriguez and chaired by Jen O’Malley Dillon, with Tim Walz as her running mate. The campaign adopted mottos such as “Let’s win this” and “We’re not going back,” and utilized hashtags like #Harris2024 and #Kamala2024 for digital outreach. Harris received endorsements from prominent Democratic leaders and organizations. The campaign focused on unity, progress, and defending democratic values, and was a major facet of the 2024 United States presidential election.

Kamala Harris 2020 Presidential Campaign

  • Campaign Name: Kamala Harris 2020 presidential campaign (Wikidata Q60738725)
  • Election: 2020 United States presidential election
  • Start Date: January 21, 2019
  • End Date: December 3, 2019
  • Headquarters: Baltimore, Maryland
  • Motto: “For the People”
  • Logo:
    Campaign Logo
  • Hashtag: #Kamala2020
  • Official Website: kamalaharris.org
  • Campaign Manager: Maya Harris
  • Part of: 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries

Kamala Harris launched and led a high-profile national campaign as candidate for President of the United States during the 2020 election cycle. She developed and communicated a unifying campaign message and slogan: “For the People.” The campaign was headquartered in Baltimore and managed by Maya Harris. Harris spearheaded a nationwide, multi-state operation, building and managing a large, diverse team. She engaged millions through strategic communications, grassroots organizing, and innovative digital outreach, including the #Kamala2020 campaign. Collaborating with senior advisors and campaign manager Maya Harris, she advanced policy priorities and mobilized voter support during the Democratic primaries. The campaign demonstrated leadership, public engagement, media relations, crisis management, and experience in large-scale project management, elevating national conversation around key issues in social justice, economic opportunity, and government accountability. Although the campaign ended in December 2019, it set the stage for her continued leadership and influence in American politics.

Major Elections Contested

  • 2024 U.S. Presidential Election (votes received: 75,017,613; following withdrawal of Joe Biden)
  • 2020 U.S. Vice Presidential Election (votes received: 81,283,501)
  • 2020 Democratic Presidential Primaries
  • 2016 U.S. Senate Election (votes: 7,542,753)
  • 2014 & 2010 California Attorney General
  • 2003 SF District Attorney (votes: 137,111)

Professional Memberships & Affiliations

  • Democratic Party
  • Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (since 1986)
  • Congressional Black Caucus
  • Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
  • Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues
  • KHive

Publications

  • The Truths We Hold: An American Journey (2019)
  • Superheroes Are Everywhere (2019)
  • Smart on Crime: A Career Prosecutor’s Plan to Make Us Safer (2009)

Awards & Honors

  • Time 100 Most Influential People (2021)
  • Thurgood Marshall Award (2005)
  • Honorary Doctor of Law, University of Southern California (2015)
  • Honorary Doctorate, Howard University (2017)

Skills & Areas of Expertise

  • Criminal Justice & Prosecution
  • Law & Jurisprudence
  • Legislative Policy & Political Negotiation
  • Civil Rights and Social Advocacy
  • Leadership & Public Speaking
  • Public Administration and Governance

Additional Information

Select Online Profiles & Social Media

Notable Family & Relatives

  • Father: Donald J. Harris (Jamaican-American)
  • Mother: Shyamala Gopalan (Indian, Tamil; biomedical scientist)
  • Sibling: Maya Harris (public policy advocate)
  • Niece: Meena Harris (activist, author)
  • Spouse: Doug Emhoff (attorney)
  • Stepchildren: Ella & Cole Emhoff
  • Brother-in-law: Tony West

Notable Quotes

“Our unity is our strength and our diversity is our power.”
– Kamala Harris

Kamala’s Accomplishments

Source: Democrats Abroad – Kamala’s Accomplishments
Posted by Howard Baltus, August 21, 2024

KAMALA HARRIS HAS A BROAD RANGE OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS SPANNING CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM, CIVIL RIGHTS ADVOCACY, HEALTHCARE PROTECTION, AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE. AS THE FIRST FEMALE, BLACK, AND SOUTH ASIAN VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, HER LEADERSHIP HAS FOCUSED ON ADVANCING POLICIES FOR RACIAL EQUITY, ECONOMIC RECOVERY, AND VOTING RIGHTS.

1. Career as District Attorney of San Francisco (2004–2011)

  • Tackling Truancy:

    Implemented a program to reduce truancy rates, including prosecuting parents of chronically truant students, leading to a significant reduction in truancy.
  • Initiative Against Hate Crimes:

    Focused on addressing hate crimes and developed specialized units to combat these offenses.
  • Conviction Rates:

    Achieved high conviction rates, particularly for serious offenses like homicides.

2. California Attorney General (2011–2017)

  • Mortgage Crisis Settlement (2012):

    Played a key role in negotiating a $25 billion settlement for California homeowners as part of a nationwide agreement with banks over foreclosure abuses.
  • Criminal Justice Reforms:

    Launched initiatives to reduce recidivism by focusing on education and job training for low-level offenders through programs like “Back on Track.”
  • Data-Driven Policing:

    Introduced OpenJustice, a data transparency initiative that provided public access to statistics on crime, police use of force, and deaths in custody.
  • Defending Affordable Care Act:

    Fought to protect the ACA, filing lawsuits to uphold its provisions.

3. U.S. Senator (2017–2021)

  • Leadership on Justice Reform:

    Co-sponsored the First Step Act, a bipartisan criminal justice reform bill that reduced mandatory minimum sentences for some non-violent offenses.
  • Focus on Racial Justice and Equality:

    Outspoken advocate for racial justice, pushing for police reform and sponsoring legislation like the Justice in Policing Act following George Floyd’s death.
  • Climate and Environmental Advocacy:

    Introduced the Climate Equity Act with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, focusing on communities most affected by climate change.

4. Vice President of the United States (2021–Present)

  • COVID-19 Response:

    Key role in the Biden administration’s efforts to distribute vaccines and provide economic relief through the American Rescue Plan.
  • Voting Rights Advocacy:

    Vocal advocate for voting rights, helping to lead efforts to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and other legislation to protect and expand access to voting.
  • International Diplomacy:

    Led U.S. diplomatic efforts in Latin America, focusing on the root causes of migration from the Northern Triangle (Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador) by promoting economic development, combating corruption, and improving security in the region.
  • Space Leadership:

    Chair of the National Space Council, pushing for advancements in space exploration, regulation of commercial space activities, and efforts to combat climate change using space-based technologies.

For more information, visit Kamala’s Accomplishments – Democrats Abroad

References & Verification

References and endorsements available upon request.

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