Kamala Harris is the 49^th Vice President of the United States (2021– ) in the Democratic administration of President Joe Biden She is the first woman, the first Black American and the first Asian American to hold the post. She had previously served in the U.S. Senate and as a attorney general of California.  In early August 2024, Harris was officially named the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee following her victory in a virtual vote of party delegates.

In 2012 Harris delivered a memorable address at the Democratic National Convention, raising her national profile. Widely considered a rising star within the party, she was recruited to run for the U.S. Senate seat held by Barbara Boxer,  who was retiring. In early 2015 Harris declared her candidacy, and on the campaign trail she called for immigration and criminal-justice reform, an increase in the minimum wage, and protection of women’s reproductive rights. She easily won the 2016 election.

When she took office in January 2017, Harris became the first Indian American and only the second Black American woman in the Senate. She joined the Congressional Black Caucus as well as the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. She also began serving on both the Select Committee on Intelligence and the Judiciary Committee, among other assignments.