Kamala Harris Formally Chosen as Democratic Presidential Nominee
History was made on Aug. 1, when Vice President Kamala Harris became the first Black woman and South Asian presidential nominee, two weeks after President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential election.
"I am honored to be the presumptive Democratic nominee for President of the United States," Harris said, according to CBS News. "Your dedication cannot be overstated. Your dedication to our country. I know we all feel this way so strongly. We love our country, we believe in the promise of America, and that's what this campaign is about."
The campaign said Harris needed 2,350 delegates to cross the threshold to win the nomination. The nomination will become official on Monday when voting closes at 6 pm.
Harris's political career gained significant momentum in 2003 when she was elected District Attorney of San Francisco, becoming the first woman and African American to hold the position. During her tenure, she focused on criminal justice reform, reentry initiatives for offenders, and cracking down on environmental crimes and human trafficking.
Harris's national profile continued to rise, leading to her election to the U.S. Senate in 2016. Representing California, she was the second African American woman and the first South Asian American senator. During her tenure, she served on several committees, including the Judiciary, Intelligence, and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Harris was known for her sharp questioning during Senate hearings, particularly during the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
In August 2020, Biden selected Harris as his running mate, making her the first African American, first South Asian American, and first woman to be nominated for national office by a major party.
As Vice President, Harris continues to address critical issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic, immigration reform, voting rights, and economic recovery, playing a vital role in the Biden administration and shaping American politics' future.
Speculation has surrounded who she's planning on picking as her running mate. As of this reporting, Harris' team has not stated who the running mate will be.
