Kamala Harris’s Hometown Rallies for Her Historic White House Bid: ‘She’s Going to Do It
As Kamala Harris emerges as the leading Democratic contender to succeed Joe Biden, her hometown of Berkeley, California, has greeted her potential historic White House bid with a mix of pride and cautious optimism.
Residents who remember Harris as a young girl living above a daycare on Bancroft Avenue are thrilled to see their hometown hero on the brink of making history. Carole Porter, 60, reminisced about waiting for the school bus with Harris as first-graders and participating in a campaign to desegregate local schools. “For people of color and for women, once she breaks that glass ceiling – and I’m sure she’s going to do it – there’s no going back,” Porter said.
In the wake of Biden’s surprising decision to withdraw from the presidential race, Democrats have rallied around Harris. Her campaign raised a record $81 million in just 24 hours and secured endorsements from prominent party figures, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Nancy Pelosi, and Biden himself.
Born in Oakland and raised in Berkeley until the age of 12 with her single mother, Shyamala, and sister, Maya, Harris has a deep connection to the area. Her career has seen her serve as San Francisco district attorney, California attorney general, and U.S. Senator.
The East Bay neighborhood where Harris grew up is rich in political and cultural history. Nearby landmarks include the former residence of Berkeley’s first Black mayor and the school where the Black Panther Party began organizing free breakfasts for children.
In 2020, Harris made history as the first woman, the first Black woman, and the first woman of South Asian descent to be elected vice president. Now, she is poised to make history again as the first woman of color to lead a presidential ticket and, if successful, the first female president of the United States.
Porter believes Harris’s upbringing in a historically red-lined district, predominantly occupied by Black and immigrant families, has given her a broad perspective. “Because we were in such an accepting environment of all people, that is where her baseline is,” Porter said. “She has no obstacles, no judgment, and no thinking that she has to do or be anything different than who she is.”
While many are relieved by Biden’s decision to step aside, some voters in Harris’s former community express concern about her chances in the general election. Tina, 60, who preferred not to use her last name, expressed excitement about Harris’s candidacy but questioned her ability to win. “She’s got a lot stacked against her,” Tina said. “We weren’t even able to vote a white woman into the White House before.”
Others share similar reservations. Pat Roberto, walking down Solano Avenue near Harris’s old elementary school, expressed worry about potential misogyny. “She wouldn’t have been my ideal, but she is better than Trump, and that’s what we need – to get him out,” Roberto said.
Despite potential criticisms of Harris’s centrist or conservative stances on some issues, some locals see this as a strength. “That’s what gives me hope, that she can appeal to more people,” said Brian Dodd, enjoying lunch near Harris’s former school.
Polling suggests Harris’s favorability ratings are comparable to those of Trump and Biden. A June AP-Norc poll found that about 40% of Americans have a favorable view of her, though the percentage of unfavorable opinions was slightly lower compared to Trump and Biden.
Despite some concerns, there’s palpable excitement in the neighborhood. “We figure they’ll be renaming the school after she gets elected,” Brian Dodd said.