We are eight months into 2020 and we have seen a global pandemic, continuing riots and protests related to Black Lives Matter (BLM) and a president relentlessly failing his constituents. Presidential candidate Joe Biden’s announcement of his running mate, Kamala Harris, was the glimmer of hope Democrats needed in a year that has brought nothing but chaos. 

A former presidential candidate herself, Harris, is the daughter of Indian and Jamaican immigrants and is the personification of the American dream. She brings representation for millions of Black, Indian and female Americans. 

During her bid for presidency throughout 2019, Harris amassed overwhelming support and was considered a “high profile” candidate up until the suspension of her campaign back in December over finance issues. She has also been a United States Senator since 2017. Needless to say, she can excel in a political environment. 

Her platform includes support for marriage equality, women’s rights, voting rights and ending social injustice and inequality. Throughout 2020, for example, Harris has been urging the Trump administration to provide more relief to minority groups affected by the pandemic. In April, Harris announced legislation to start a task force to address this very issue. During her time as a U.S. Senator, Harris also supported multiple bills to protect the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. 

Her impressive history also includes being the first female district attorney in San Francisco, the first female attorney general in California and the first Indian American elected as a U.S. senator. Harris has made history time after time and will again as the first woman of color on a major-party national ticket this election year. 

Although announced only recently, Democrats have already shown their approval of Joe Biden’s pick for VP. In almost every poll, Harris has received more favorable than unfavorable views among voters. She brings a younger face to Biden’s campaign as voters were concerned about his age. Many black, female, and non-white voters also are excited to see some representation at such a high level. These are among some of the reasons Harris may be polling so well. 

However, some voters feel Biden made a mistake in choosing Harris as his running mate. They feel underwhelmed by the choice as she failed in her own presidential campaign in 2019. 

The 2020 presidential election is easily one of the most important elections of all time. In a time where the United States seems more divided than ever, Biden’s choice of running mate could make or break his entire campaign. He clearly made the choice that gives him the best shot at securing the presidency in November and I am excited to see how Kamala Harris will assume the role of vice president.