Kamala Harris 2020 presidential campaign Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Kamala Harris For The People

Campaign	2020 United States presidential election (Democratic Party primaries)
Candidate	Kamala Harris U.S. Senator from California (2017–2021)
Affiliation	Democratic Party
Status	Announced January 21, 2019 Suspended December 3, 2019
Headquarters	Baltimore, Maryland
Key people	Maya Harris (campaign manager)
Slogan	For The People

In the United States, a presidential campaign is when a person tries to become the President of the United States. They travel around the country, talk about their ideas, and try to get people to vote for them.

Kamala Harris, who was a U.S. Senator from California, officially announced that she was running for president on January 21, 2019. She was hoping to become the candidate for the Democratic Party in the 2020 United States presidential election.

If Kamala Harris had won the election, she would have made history. She would have been the first woman and the first Asian American person to become President of the United States. She was also the third Black woman to try for the Democratic nomination for president. Before her, Shirley Chisholm and Carol Moseley Braun also ran.

Her main campaign office was in Baltimore, Maryland, and she also had an office in Oakland, California. Kamala Harris ended her campaign on December 3, 2019. This happened because her support in polls wasn't high, and she didn't have enough money to continue.

What is a Presidential Campaign?
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What is a Presidential Campaign?

A presidential campaign is like a big competition to decide who will lead the country. People who want to be president, called candidates, travel to different states. They hold rallies, give speeches, and talk about their plans for the country. They want to convince voters that they are the best choice.

Candidates also try to raise money to pay for their campaign activities, like advertisements and travel. They often have a team of people who help them, including a campaign manager, who helps organize everything.

Kamala Harris's Journey to the Campaign

Kamala Harris has had an interesting career in public service. Before becoming a U.S. Senator, she was the Attorney General of California. This means she was the state's top lawyer. She also served as the District Attorney of San Francisco.

When she decided to run for president, she was already a well-known figure in American politics. She was one of several people hoping to become the Democratic Party's candidate for president in 2020.

Why She Ran for President

Kamala Harris ran for president because she wanted to make changes in the country. She talked about issues like healthcare, climate change, and making sure everyone has a fair chance to succeed. Her campaign slogan was "For The People," which showed her focus on helping everyday Americans.

She believed her experience as a prosecutor and a senator would help her lead the country. She wanted to bring people together and solve big problems facing the United States.

The Campaign Team and Headquarters

Every presidential campaign needs a strong team. Kamala Harris's campaign was led by her sister, Maya Harris, who was her campaign manager. A campaign manager helps make all the big decisions and keeps the campaign running smoothly.

The main office for her campaign was in Baltimore, Maryland. This is where many of the staff worked, planning events and coordinating activities across the country. Having a central headquarters helps a campaign stay organized.

Why the Campaign Ended

Running for president is very expensive and requires a lot of support from voters. Kamala Harris's campaign ended on December 3, 2019. This decision was made because her support in public opinion polls was not growing as much as needed. Also, it became harder for her campaign to raise enough money to keep going.

When a candidate's poll numbers are low and they don't have enough money, it becomes very difficult to compete against other candidates. So, she decided to stop her presidential campaign.

What Happened After the Campaign

Even though Kamala Harris ended her presidential campaign in 2019, her political journey continued. Later, in 2020, she was chosen by Joe Biden to be his running mate. This meant she would run for Vice President of the United States. They won the election, and she became the first female Vice President of the United States.

Images for kids

Harris at the California Democrats State Convention in 2019
Harris in Iowa on August 10, 2019
Harris visits King Elementary School in Des Moines, Iowa, on October 7, 2019.
A Shirley Chisholm button, whose typography Harris paid tribute to in her campaign
On August 12, 2020, Biden appeared for the first time with Harris since announcing her candidacy.