Jaime Harrison facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jaime Harrison
Harrison in 2019
Chair of the Democratic National Committee
In office January 21, 2021 – February 1, 2025
Preceded by	Tom Perez
Succeeded by	Ken Martin
Chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party
In office May 4, 2013 – April 29, 2017
Preceded by	Dick Harpootlian
Succeeded by	Trav Robertson
Personal details
Born	(1976-02-05) February 5, 1976 (age 49) Orangeburg, South Carolina, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Marie Boyd
Children	2
Education	Yale University (BA) Georgetown University (JD)

Jaime Ricardo Harrison (born February 5, 1976) is an American lawyer and politician. He was the leader, or chair, of the Democratic National Committee from 2021 to 2025. Before that, he led the South Carolina Democratic Party from 2013 to 2017. In 2020, Harrison ran for a U.S. Senate seat in South Carolina but did not win.

Jaime Harrison grew up in South Carolina. He went to Yale University and later worked for a group that helped students from low-income families get ready for college and jobs. He also earned a law degree from Georgetown University. Harrison worked for a U.S. Congressman and later became a lobbyist, which means he worked to convince lawmakers to support certain ideas or groups. He then became the chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party.

After the Democratic Party lost some important elections in 2024, Harrison decided not to seek another term as the party's national leader in 2025.

Early Life and Education

Jaime Harrison was born and grew up in Orangeburg, South Carolina. His mother and grandparents raised him. When he was young, he went to a Baptist church. In 1994, he was chosen for a special program for young people interested in the U.S. Senate.

He went to Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School. He then received a scholarship to attend Yale University, a well-known college, where he studied how governments work.

After finishing college in 1998, Harrison taught at his old high school for a year. In 1999, he became a leader at College Summit. This group helps young people from families with lower incomes find ways to go to college and start careers. In 2004, he earned his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.

Political Career

After working at College Summit, Harrison became involved in politics. He worked for Jim Clyburn, a U.S. Congressman, helping him manage his work in the United States House of Representatives. Harrison also served as a leader for the House Democratic Caucus and was a vice chair for the South Carolina Democratic Party.

Later, he worked as a lobbyist for a company called the Podesta Group. As a lobbyist, he represented different groups and businesses, like banks and pharmaceutical companies, to share their views with lawmakers. He also worked for non-profit groups like United Way Worldwide.

In May 2013, Harrison became the chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party. He was the first African American person to hold this important position in the state.

In 2018, Harrison co-wrote a book called Climbing the Hill: How to Build a Career in Politics and Make a Difference. It shares advice on working in politics.

Leading the Democratic National Committee

In 2017, Harrison wanted to become the national leader of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). The DNC is the main organization for the Democratic Party in the United States. He explained that his work as a lobbyist helped him pay off his student loans. Harrison later decided not to run for the top DNC job and instead supported Tom Perez.

Harrison then took a role as an associate chairman and counselor for the DNC. He started a program called "Every ZIP Code Counts." This program gave money to each state's Democratic Party. The money helped them study their strengths and weaknesses to improve their operations.

After Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election, he chose Harrison to be the new chair of the DNC. Harrison was elected by DNC members on January 21, 2021.

During Harrison's time as DNC chair, the Democratic Party lost some seats in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, and the presidency in 2024. After these election results, news outlets reported that Harrison did not plan to run for another term as DNC Chair in 2025. His term ended on February 1, 2025.

2020 U.S. Senate Election

On February 7, 2019, Jaime Harrison announced he would run for a U.S. Senate seat in South Carolina. He challenged Senator Lindsey Graham. No Democrat had won a statewide election in South Carolina since 2006. Harrison officially started his campaign on May 29, 2019. Another Democrat, Gloria Bromell Tinubu, also planned to run but later supported Harrison. Because no one else ran against him, Harrison became the Democratic candidate on June 9, 2020.

Harrison and Graham had a debate on October 3, 2020, without an audience because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Another debate was planned, but it was changed to separate interviews after Graham did not want to be tested for COVID-19 before the debate.

In the fall of 2020, Harrison raised a lot of money for his campaign. He collected $57 million in three months, which was the most money ever raised by a U.S. Senate candidate in one quarter. He also raised the most money ever for a U.S. Senate campaign overall.

Harrison supported expanding Medicaid, which helps people get health care. He also wanted more help for people during the coronavirus pandemic. He criticized Senator Graham for trying to get rid of the Affordable Care Act, a health care law.

Harrison lost the election to Graham. Graham received 54.5% of the votes, while Harrison received 44.2%. Even though Harrison ran a strong campaign and raised record amounts of money, he did not win the election.

Harrison's campaign was also featured in a 2024 documentary called In the Bubble with Jaime.

Personal Life

Jaime Harrison is friends with Matt Moore, who used to be the leader of the Republican Party in South Carolina. Even though they are from different political parties, they taught a class together at the University of South Carolina in 2015.

Harrison met his wife, Marie Boyd, in Washington, D.C., after the 2008 presidential election. She is a law professor at the University of South Carolina School of Law. They live in Columbia, South Carolina, with their two sons.

See also

In Spanish: Jaime Harrison para niños

• List of African-American United States Senate candidates
• Democratic Party (United States)