Kamala Harris: First Indian-origin black woman to contest US presidential election
Kamala Harris: For the people
US Democratic Senator Kamala Harris of California, a rising party star and outspoken critic of President Donald Trump's immigration policies, launched her 2020 campaign for the White House on Monday by touting her experience as a prosecutor.
'This is a moment in time that I feel a sense of responsibility to stand up and fight for the best of who we are,' Harris said on ABC's 'Good Morning America' in announcing her candidacy.
Her slogan will be 'For the People,' in a nod to Harris' roots as a prosecutor.
First black woman to participate US presidential election
Currently serving as junior United States Senator for California since 2017, Kamala Harris is a member of the Democratic party.
After announcing her candidacy, she is now the first Indian-origin black woman after Barack Obama to participate in 2020 presidential election in the United States.
Early life of Kamala Harris
Kamala Harris was born on October 20, 1964, to a Tamil Indian mother and a Jamaican father, in Oakland, California.
In 1989, she earned her Juris Doctor (JD) from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.
She was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1990.
Kamala Harris' early political career
Harris served as a deputy district attorney in Alameda County, California, from 1990 to 1998.
Harris defeated two-term incumbent Terence Hallinan in the 2003 election to become District Attorney of the City and County of San Francisco.
Harris made history in 2016 as the first black woman elected to the US Senate from California.
In 2004, The National Urban League honoured Harris as a "Woman of Power".
In 2005, she received the Thurgood Marshall Award from the National Black Prosecutors Association.
'Strong advocate of criminal justice reforms'
Kamala Harris has been a strong advocate of criminal justice reforms. In the Senate, she has introduced a bill to give lower-income families cash payments and tax credits to help battle wage stagnation and rising housing costs.
Chances to beat Trump in 2020
Harris and other Democrats will have to navigate the party's debate about whether an establishment figure who can appeal to centrist voters or a fresh face who can energise its increasingly diverse and progressive base offers the best chance to beat Trump in 2020.
In the first 30 minutes after entering the race, Harris received individual online contributions from all 50 states, spokesman Ian Sams said on Twitter.
Her campaign could be aided by the schedule for the state-by-state party nominating process that is scheduled to begin in February 2020.
Critics react to Kamala Harris candidacy
Reacting to Harris' candidacy, Republican National Committee criticised her saying 'the least vetted' of the Democratic candidates, calling her unqualified and out of touch.
She also has been criticised for saying she was not aware of sexual harassment allegations against one of her top aides, who resigned in December after a California newspaper asked him about a 2016 harassment lawsuit. Xavier Becerra, who replaced Harris as attorney general, settled the lawsuit in May 2017 for $400,000.
)
)
)
)
)