US Vice President Kamala Harris, the frontrunner in the Democratic Party's race for the November 2024 presidential election, has a unique perspective on global issues. Born and raised in California, Harris has pledged her support for Israel's security while expressing sympathy for Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Her background as a prosecutor and attorney general in California, as well as her personal experiences and friendships, have shaped her views on various topics.
Harris was born on October 20, 1964, to parents who met and fell in love at Berkeley while participating in the civil rights movement. She attended Howard University, a historically Black university in Washington D.C., where she joined Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and earned a bachelor's degree in political science and economics. After college, Harris returned to California to attend law school at the University of California Hastings.
As attorney general in California, Harris took aim at the gender pay gap with a plan to eliminate discriminatory pay practices and penalize companies that didn't comply. She also investigated and sued Corinthian Colleges, obtaining a $1.1 billion judgment against the for-profit conglomerate.
During her time as attorney general, Harris met and befriended Biden's eldest son Beau. In 2014, she married Doug Emhoff, who is Jewish and a leading voice opposing antisemitism. Harris has also spoken out against the sexual assaults carried out by Hamas militants.
Harris expects Israel to protect innocent civilians during military operations in Gaza and supports its security against attacks from Iran. She is expected to remain consistent with Biden's policy on China, focusing on curbing Chinese influence in Asia.
In the race for the Democratic nomination, Harris will need to formally win the nomination at the Democratic National Convention in August. Her campaign has been endorsed by President Biden and many other elected officials and governors.
As vice president, Harris set a new record for the most tie-breaking votes cast by a vice president.