This article was originally published in the January/February 2017 print issue of The Catalyst – It appears here with updated links.
After the 2016 US Senate races, California voters elected junior US Senator Kamala Harris, the first non-incumbent to be elected in 24 years.
After Barbara Boxer announced her retirement and vacated the position, one Senate spot became an “open seat,” meaning that two opponents would be fighting for their first term in the Senate.
Harris defeated her opponent, Loretta Sanchez, and joined the 115th Congress for one of its most diverse to date.
Harris broke many records during her career so far, including being the first woman to be the Attorney General for California when she was elected in 2010 as well as being the first Asian-American, Indian-American, and Jamaican-American in this role. She is also the second African-American woman and the third Asian-American woman to be elected as a US Senator. Harris has been called fearless, driven, and a game-changer. It is important to get to know California’s newest senator because it is quite evident that she plans to make great changes, not only for the state, but for the country as a whole.
NDB senior Quinlyn Highsmith and her family became involved in Harris’ election race last year, hosting fundraising events for her campaign.
After her win, Harris invited the Highsmith family to a few events to hear her speak and show her gratitude. Highsmith says, “She’s diverse and a woman, and we have a lot of politicians that don’t represent the people. We need more people who look like us, understand different viewpoints, and bring diversity into politics.”
When asked what was the most inspiring to her about Harris’ career and election, Highsmith says, “I see a lot of myself in her. She grew up in an environment where she learned to speak out and be a voice for those who are voiceless.”
Many people feel the same way as Highsmith and have seen Harris making positive changes since early in her career. Harris represents a new wave of politicians that aim to truly represent the people’s interests.
Before she was elected senator, Harris used her career to advocate for the well-being of the public, including expanding human rights for immigrants. She hopes to curb the illegal distribution of drugs across the border of Mexico and the United States as well as to create safer environments for other immigrants seeking refuge in America.
As a member of the 115th Congress, Harris aims to advocate for an increase in the amount of Syrian refugees seeking asylum in the US, which continues to be an issue as many refugees are being turned away. Her other policy positions regarding abortion, education, gun control, immigration, and more can be found online at congress.gov and kamalaharris.com.
As Senator, Harris has been assigned to four major committees, including the Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee. It is responsible for overseeing all departments of the government.
Harris will play an instrumental role in policy regarding the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service, Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Border and Transportation Security.
This new voice in the US Senate could be exactly what the country needs right now, and it is clear that Harris will not hesitate to speak up and advocate for the people. Whether you support her views or not, her name will be one to remember going forward.
