Kamala Harris
Kamala Harris is an American politician and lawyer who served as the 49th vice president of the United States from 2021 to 2025.
Kamala Harris is an American politician and lawyer who served as the 49th vice president of the United States from 2021 to 2025. She was the first woman, first Black American, and first Asian American to hold that office. She also served as a U.S. senator from California and as California attorney general before becoming the Democratic nominee for president in 2024, when she was defeated by Donald Trump.
Early life and education
Kamala Harris was born in Oakland, California, in 1964. Sources identify her as the daughter of immigrant parents and note that she attended Howard University and the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.
Legal career
Harris began her career in California law enforcement and prosecution, later serving as district attorney of San Francisco and attorney general of California. These roles established her public profile before her move to national politics.
U.S. Senate and vice presidency
Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2016 and served from 2017 to 2021. She became vice president under Joe Biden in January 2021 and served until January 2025.
2024 presidential campaign
After President Joe Biden withdrew from the 2024 race, Harris became the Democratic nominee for president. She later lost the general election to Republican nominee Donald Trump.
Key facts
- Harris served as vice president of the United States from 2021 to 2025.
- She was the first woman, first Black American, and first Asian American to serve as U.S. vice president.
- She represented California in the U.S. Senate from 2017 to 2021.
- Harris was the Democratic Party’s nominee in the 2024 U.S. presidential election after Joe Biden withdrew from the race.
- She lost the 2024 general election to Donald Trump.
Harris is relevant to Canadian readers as a major U.S. political figure whose vice presidency and 2024 presidential campaign affected North American politics and U.S.-Canada relations.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Kamala Harris?
What offices has Kamala Harris held?
Was Kamala Harris the first woman vice president?
What happened in the 2024 presidential election?
Where was Kamala Harris born?
References
- Archives of Women's Political Communication — https://awpc.cattcenter.iastate.edu/directory/kamala-harrisSupports: Vice presidency, Senate service, attorney general service, and 2024 presidential campaign outcome.
- Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kamala-HarrisSupports: Biographical overview, birth details, offices held, historical firsts, and 2024 election result.
- CNN — https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/22/politics/kamala-harris-biographySupports: Background, legal career, and emergence as 2024 Democratic presidential candidate.
- Howard University — https://thedig.howard.edu/featured-people/kamala-harrisSupports: Birthplace and inauguration as vice president.
- National Women's History Museum — https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/kamala-harrisSupports: Birth details, immigrant parents, vice-presidential firsts, and 2024 nomination.
- The White House (archived) — https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/The-Official-Biography-for-Vice-President-Kamala-Harris1.pdfSupports: Official vice-presidential biography and office held.
- BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2501n5rvvnoSupports: Family background and 2024 presidential campaign context.