Key facts about Kamala Harris: What to know
Kamala Harris served as vice president of the United States under President Joe Biden from 2021 to 2025. During the Biden-Harris administration, the Democratic Party focused on issues such as climate change, Medicaid and LGBTQ+ initiatives. Prior to her vice presidency, Harris represented California in the U.S. Senate. She also previously served as California attorney general and San Francisco district attorney.
Harris graduated with a bachelor's degree from Howard University and later earned her law degree from University of California's Hastings College of the Law. In 2023 Hastings was renamed University of California College of the Law, San Francisco.
She ran for reelection as vice president with President Biden in 2024. After Biden dropped out of the race, Harris became the Democratic presidential nominee and selected Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate. The two Democrats lost the 2024 presidential election to Republican nominee Donald Trump, who returned to the White House for a second, nonconsecutive term.
Harris may return to the political sphere in 2028 with another presidential run. Her name has also been mentioned as a potential candidate in the 2026 California gubernatorial race. Harris is married to Doug Emhoff, a lawyer, and has two stepchildren, Ella and Cole, from Emhoff’s previous marriage.