In a move that has sent shockwaves through the US political landscape, President Joe Biden stepped out of the 2024 presidential race against his main opponent, Donald Trump, and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the best to replace him as the Democratic nominee.
This historic showdown between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump is poised to highlight the stark ideological divide between both candidates which may shape the discourse on democratic principles, immigration policy, economic growth, and the ever-evolving concepts of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
Kamala’s ascent as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee could transform the tenor of the U.S. election, spotlighting gender and racial dynamics in ways that could redefine the campaign’s energy and focus.
After her endorsement, Kamala Harris has garnered sufficient support from Democratic delegates to become the party’s main nominee against Donald Trump. However, the official selection will take place at the Democratic National Convention in August.
A survey by the Associated Press shows that over 3,359 delegates across 57 states in the United States have declared support for Kamala, surpassing the 1,976 delegates required to secure the party’s nomination.
Kamala Harris’s rise as the first female, first Black American, and first South Asian American Vice President in 2021 highlights deeper issues of racial and gender disparities ingrained in American society.
As her presidential bid unfolds, these issues may start to surface and influence the narrative of the 2024 presidential election.
The racial undertone within the American context is a key factor. Should Kamala Harris receive the nomination as the Democratic party’s presidential candidate, she will become the second Black American-presidential nominee of a major US party, following Barack Obama, the first African-American presidential nominee in the United States.
The other factor hints at the gender dynamics of America’s politics.
The United States has never had a female president. A notable milestone in this regard was in 2016 when Hillary Clinton became the first woman to secure a presidential nomination from a major U.S. political party. She lost to her major opponent from the Republican Party, Donald Trump.
Again, if Kamala Harris secures the nomination as the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, she will become the second female presidential nominee and, maybe, the first female President of the United States of America.
Kamala Harris has had a distinguished career as a lawyer, serving as California’s Attorney General and as the District Attorney of San Francisco. Her political career includes her tenure as a U.S. Senator from California and her current role as Vice President. As a senator, Harris advocated for stricter gun control laws and reforms in healthcare and taxation.
Compared to past U.S. presidents, Kamala Harris possesses a distinguished career and extensive political experience, qualifying her for the office based on merit, similar to her predecessors.
If elected as the Democratic candidate and as the US president, Kamala Harris will be the 28th lawyer to be in that position since 1789.