" That day when a little girl from Oaktown became the first black fair sex to be a major - party vice - presidential nominee … " Whenlawyer Maya Harris tweetedthat gratulatory view , she succinctly summarise up the superbia and historical significance of her sis ’s triumph . On Aug. 11 , 2020 , Democratic presidential nomineeJoe Bidenofficially announcedformer California Sen. Kamala Harris as hisvice presidentialrunning mate for the 2020 presidential election .
His selection meant Harris ( Biden ’s former opposition in the subspecies ) would becomethe third womanin account ( and first Black cleaning lady and first Asian American char ) to be propose for vice Chief Executive by a major political party .
But Harris made history again when she and Biden pull ahead the presidential election . These were perhaps the most disputed election results ever after Donald Trump claimed the election was rigged . But finally on Jan. 6 , 2021,after a deadly revolt on the U.S. Capitol , Biden and Harris were officiallycertified as the winnersof theelectoral college . Harris became the first - ever adult female to be affirm in as vice chairwoman of the United States on Jan. 20 , 2021 .
Harris' Early Life
Born in Oakland , California on Oct. 20 , 1964 , Kamala Devi Harris had two major role models from the head start : Her mother , Shyamala Gopalan ( whom Harris has described as the most important influence on her life ) was a breast Cancer the Crab research worker from India , and her father , Donald Harris , immigrate to the United States from Jamaica and lick as an economics professor at Stanford University . Her parent assemble during alumna school at UC Berkeley while attend to political protests , and although they divorced when Harris was a small fry , both are state to have had asignificant influence on her professional trajectory and political leaning . ( Gopalan choke from El Salvadoran colon malignant neoplastic disease in 2009 and Harris hit the hay early from Stanford in 1998 and has since act upon as a research worker and economic consultant for the Jamaican government . )
Harris clear her undergraduate degree from Howard University in 1986 and her natural law degree from the University of California , Hastings three long time later . She then kicked off her career in the Alameda County district attorney ’s office and exploit as an Oakland lieutenant territory attorney from 1990 to 1998 . In that office , shegarnered a reputationfor being sturdy on issues like gang violence , drug trafficking and sexual abuse .
In 2003 , she became the territorial dominion attorney of the City and County of San Francisco , and six years and two term afterward , was elect attorney general of California by a margin of less than 1 percent . The minute win made history as Harris became the first female person and the first opprobrious person to hold the berth .
One of Harris ' hallmark moves during her prison term as attorney superior general was resist to defendProposition 8 , the 2008 California ballot measure that blackball same - gender union in the state and was subsequently deemed unconstitutional in federal court . In 2013,Harris officiate the first same - sex marriagein California before long after the Union solicitation court decision .
Harris Makes History as Senator
In November 2016 , Harris kill Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez for a seat in the U.S. Senate , becoming the 2d Black womanhood and the first South Asian American ever to enroll the legislative branch . She dish on the bedroom ’s Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee , Select Committee on Intelligence , Committee on the Judiciary and Committee on the Budget . Harris was cognise for her reenforcement of a single - remunerator wellness tending system and introduce statute law to increase outdoor recreation site entree in urban sphere and to provide financial relief to those face go up lodging costs .
In 2017 , Harris made headline while serving on the Judiciary Committee for herrapid - fire and pointed inquiring of then - Attorney General Jeff Sessionsand again in 2018 for"grilling " Supreme Court Justice campaigner Brett Kavanaugh .
In 2019 , Harris publish her memoir , " The Truths We contain : An American Journey , " and soon after announced that she was seeking the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination . She discharge out of the race in September 2019 , at which head Biden said he would " of course " look at her as his running mate .
" Senator Harris has the electrical capacity to be anything she wants to be,“Biden enounce December 2020 . " She is firm . She can be chairman someday herself . She can be the frailty president . She can go on to be a Supreme Court justice . She can be an lawyer general . I mean , she has enormous capacity . "
Harris submitted aformal letter of resignationto California Gov. Gavin Newsom end her four year in the Senate on Jan. 18 , 2021 , to assume her tariff as frailty president .
Harris as Vice President
Despite the memorable central during the 2019 debates in which Harris challenged Biden over school busing , Harris and Biden have said in multiple interviews that they plan to harness their organization as partners . " There ’s not a single conclusion I ’ve made yet about staff office or about how to go along that I have n’t discuss with Kamala first,“Biden told CNN ’s Jake Tapperin their first joint interview on Dec. 3 , 2020 . Harris agreed saying she design on being a full partner .
" We are full partners in this process,“Harris separate Tapper . " And I will tell you that the President - elect has been , since the first day he asked me to link him on the ticket , been very clear with me that he want me to be the first and the last in the room . And so on every yield that impact the American hoi polloi I will be a full partner to the President - elect and the President , and whatever our priorities are I will be there to endure him and support the American citizenry . "
