Vice President Kamala Harris—who will speak at the DNC on Thursday—has effectively reversed poor polling numbers for the Democrats after campaigning for about one month.
Topline
Vice President Kamala Harris has reignited energy in the Democratic Party after stepping in to replace President Joe Biden as the presidential nominee, and she is set to take the stage Thursday night in Chicago at the Democratic National Convention to formally accept the party’s nomination.Key Facts
Harris formally took over for Biden about one month ago after he ended his reelection bid on July 21, saying he believes “it is in the best interest of my party and the country to stand down.”
Before she served as Biden’s vice president, Harris spent nearly 30 years as a prosecutor in California, including as the state’s attorney general, and was elected to the Senate in 2016.
Harris will likely take the stage toward the end of the DNC programming Thursday, which is scheduled until 11 p.m. EDT but has run behind on earlier nights.
What Has Biden Said About Harris?
Almost immediately after he left the race, Biden endorsed Harris as his replacement. In a statement, he said choosing Harris as his running mate in 2020 was the “best decision I’ve made” and said he offers his “full support.” Speaking at the DNC on Monday, Biden said Harris is “tough. She’s experienced. And she has enormous integrity,” adding she understands “this nation must continue to be a place of possibilities, not just for the few of us, but for all of us.”Who Is Her Running Mate, Tim Walz?
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz was announced as Harris’ running mate on Aug. 6, and at the time Harris praised his “convictions on fighting for middle class families” and said what impressed her most was his “deep commitment to his family.” Walz was elected as governor of Minnesota in 2018 and won reelection in 2022, and served in the House of Representatives from 2007 to 2019. He entered the Army National Guard when he was 17, then graduated college from Chadron State College in 1989 and began his career as a high school teacher and football coach in Nebraska. Walz and his wife, Gwen Walz, moved from Nebraska to Minnesota in 1996 and he taught there until he was elected to the House. Walz beat out a number of other finalists for Harris’ running mate, including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, and was appealing to some in part because of his reputation as a working-class politician with a rural background.What Is Kamala Harris’ Family Background?
Harris was born in Oakland, Calif., to Shyamala Gopalan, originally from southern India, and Donald Harris, who is from Jamaica, making Harris the first vice president of Black or South Asian descent. Both her parents are graduates of the University of California, Berkeley, and divorced when Harris and her younger sister, Maya, were children.
