Kamala Harris: An overview of the presidential candidate

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Early Life and Education

Kamala Harris was born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California, to immigrant parents who instilled in her a commitment to civil rights and social justice. Her father, Donald J. Harris, was a Jamaican economics doctoral student, and her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, came from India to study nutrition and endocrinology. Growing up in a diverse community, Kamala was shaped by her family’s activism in the civil rights movement, often attending marches as a child. She graduated from Howard University in 1986 and earned her law degree from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco, in 1989.

Career as Attorney General and Senator

After gaining her law degree, Harris began her career as a deputy district attorney in Oakland, gaining a reputation for her tough stance on crime. She became the first woman and the first Black American to serve as California's Attorney General from 2011 to 2017, where she won significant settlements for Californians affected by the housing crisis and took a strong stance on environmental laws.

In 2017, she was elected to the US Senate, becoming the first Indian American and only the second Black woman in the Senate's history. Harris gained national attention for her incisive questioning during high-profile hearings, notably with Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, establishing herself as a formidable presence in legislative debates.

Vice Presidency

Kamala Harris was sworn in as the 49th Vice President of the United States on January 20, 2021, making history as the first woman, the first Black American, and the first South Asian American to hold the position. In her role, she has focused on crucial issues such as immigration reform, voting rights, and women's reproductive health. Harris has been a vocal advocate for protecting access to abortion, especially following the Supreme Court's ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which restricted abortion rights in several states.

As Vice President, Harris has traveled extensively, representing the US on the global stage and meeting with numerous world leaders. She has also broken records in the Senate, casting the most tie-breaking votes in history and playing a decisive role in passing key legislation, including the Inflation Reduction Act, which represents a significant investment in addressing climate change.

Achievements of Harris as VP and attorney

Historic Vice Presidency: Harris made history as the first woman to hold the office of Vice President of the United States. She is the first Black American and the first South Asian American to serve in this role, breaking significant barriers in US politics.

Voting Rights Advocacy: Harris has been a strong advocate for voting rights, working to counter restrictive voting laws and promote access to the ballot.

Infrastructure Investment: She played a key role in the passage of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which invests in roads, bridges, and broadband, among other areas.

Reproductive rights: Harris has been a vocal advocate for women’s reproductive rights, particularly following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. She has focused on improving maternal health care, especially for marginalized communities, by expanding access to services and addressing disparities.

International engagement: As Vice President, she has represented the US on the international stage, meeting with world leaders and promoting global alliances, particularly in areas like climate change and trade.

Job Creation: Harris has been part of initiatives that contributed to significant job creation and economic recovery, including supporting small businesses and workforce development programs

COVID-19 Response: She has supported efforts to accelerate vaccine distribution and public health initiatives as part of the US response to the pandemic.

Progressive criminal justice Policies: Harris has championed legislation aimed at reforming the criminal justice system, including measures to reduce recidivism and address systemic inequalities.

Cultural Impact as role Model: Harris has inspired many as a trailblazer for women of color in politics, encouraging future generations to pursue leadership roles.

Challenges and Conspiracies faced by Harris as VP and attorney

Kamala Harris has faced several challenges and controversies throughout her career, particularly during her time as Vice President and in her presidential campaign. She has been subject to intense scrutiny regarding her prosecutorial past, with some progressives accusing her of being too tough on crime, leading to backlash from criminal justice reform activists. Her initial presidential campaign gained momentum but faltered due to questions about her policy positions and debates over her record, ultimately resulting in its suspension by December 2019. As Vice President, Harris has navigated a politically divided landscape, facing challenges in working with Republican lawmakers, especially on immigration and voting rights initiatives that encountered opposition. Her handling of the border crisis has drawn criticism from both sides—Republicans argue she hasn't done enough, while some Democrats feel her approach lacks progressiveness. Additionally, her advocacy for women's reproductive rights and healthcare access has met resistance from conservative groups, and her comments on police reform have sparked mixed reactions within her party. As the first female Vice President and the first Black and South Asian woman in this role, Harris has faced high expectations, with critiques regarding her authenticity and effectiveness often surfacing amid the complexities of her identity and responsibilities. These challenges underscore the unique pressures she faces as a trailblazer in U.S. politics.

2024 Presidential Campaign

In July 2024, following President Biden's decision to withdraw from the race after a challenging debate performance against Donald Trump, he endorsed Harris as the Democratic Party's nominee for the presidential election.

Harris officially secured the nomination in early August, becoming the first woman and first Black woman to lead a major party's presidential ticket.

Despite the significant challenges of navigating the election landscape and maintaining party unity, Harris has continued to champion issues such as social justice and economic opportunity.

Her campaign emphasizes building on the administration's achievements, including job creation and health care reforms, while also addressing voter concerns about the future of reproductive rights and gun safety.

What could a Harris presidency be like for Pakstan

Under Kamala Harris’s potential presidency, the US would be expected to continue building on the Biden administration's approach toward Pakistan.

Harris would likely maintain security cooperation along the same lines it has under her Vice Presidency.

Harris’s approach to China is perceived as less aggressive compared to Trump’s stance, offering Pakistan greater autonomy in managing its foreign policy and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) without increased pressure.

Many supporters of Imran Khan believe that a Trump presidency might facilitate his release from jail, however, US foreign policy priorities under wither presidency are likely to focus on broader issues rather than Khan’s personal situation.