Robinson-Regis: Kamala Harris candidacy a historic milestone

AMERICANS head to the polls in 100 days.

Kamala Devi Harris, who is the first black woman since 1972 to run for president, is gearing up as the leading contender for the Democratic Party to challenge former president Donald Trump.

Late US politician Shirley Chisholm made history in 1972 after becoming the first black woman to compete for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination.

Harris was born in Oakland, California. She is a graduate of Howard University and University of California, Hastings.

In 2020 she was elected the 49th vice president of the United States as Joe Biden's running mate.

She is the first female vice president and the highest-ranking female official in the country's history.

Harris is also the first African American and first South Asian American vice president of the US.

She will turn 60 on October 20, 17 days before Americans go to the polls on November 5.

On July 21, President Biden, who was under pressure from his party owing to failing health, dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House, quickly endorsing Harris to take on former president Donald Trump.

Biden encouraged his party to unite behind her.

After announcing that he will not seek the presidential re-election, Biden said he will fully support Harris for the Democratic nomination.

“My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my vice president. And it’s been the best decision I’ve made. Today, I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year.”

Meanwhile, Harris said she was “honoured” to receive Biden’s endorsement, describing the president’s decision not to seek re-election as “selfless and patriotic act.”

Stressing Biden’s patriotism, Harris noted that Biden was “putting the American people and our country above everything else.”

“I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party – and unite our nation – to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda,” she pledged in a statement.

Arouca/Maloney MP and leader of the PNM Women's League, Camille Robinson-Regis, told Newsday via WhatsApp on July 26, while only Americans can decide what is best for their country, the significance of Harris's candidacy as a black woman is "undeniable, marking a historic milestone in American politics."

She wishes Harris well in her pursuit.

"As a woman in politics, I applaud any woman who makes politics her career. As a Trinbagonian politician, I would not venture to answer questions on US thinking or Kamala’s priorities. I know what she has said are her priorities, and I wish her every success."

She said TT must mind our own business when the time comes for our general elections, which are slated for 2025.

Robinson-Regis stressed citizens must "choose wisely, just as the American voters will mind their own and choose wisely."

She concluded her message, wishing Harris success in her campaign.

"She made history in 2020 and I hope she makes history again in 2024.”

“Before I was elected vice president, before I was elected United States senator, I was the elected attorney general of California. And before that, I was a courtroom prosecutor.”

Harris said this at her first campaign event in Wilmington, Delaware.

“In those roles, I took on perpetrators of all kinds: predators who abused women, fraudsters who ripped off consumers and cheaters who broke the rules for their own gain. So, hear me when I say, I know Donald Trump’s type.”

Caribbean diaspora stands behind Harris

Meanwhile, support has poured in for Harris from the Caribbean diaspora and their political representatives.

In a Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) report last week several politicians in New York endorsed Harris whose father is the retired Jamaican-born economist Dr Donald Harris

The Haitian-American chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party, Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, has welcomed Biden's decision to withdraw from the presidential elections in November and endorse Harris as the Democratic presidential candidate.

“President Joe Biden has steadfastly served as an exemplary public servant for the betterment of our country for over five decades,” said Bichotte Hermelyn, the daughter of Haitian immigrants.

The New York State Assembly member, who represents the 42nd Assembly District in Brooklyn, told CMC “as our president, Biden has greatly advanced our nation forward; achieving immense progress uplifting all Americans through his historic accomplishments and astute leadership”.

She said the Brooklyn Democratic Party respects Biden’s “selfless decision” to drop out of the presidential election as the party focuses on defeating ex-President Donald J. Trump, and securing a Democratic-controlled US Congress and Senate.

“The Brooklyn Democratic Party wholeheartedly echoes Biden’s endorsement of Harris as our next president, and we’re confident she’ll be an extraordinary partner to keep building on our strongest economy in decades, defending democracy, and improving our quality-of-life—from combating gun violence, to advancing women’s rights, to myriad more pressing issues facing Americans,” Bichotte Hermelyn said.

“Vice President Kamala Harris is a fierce fighter with a proven progressive track record, deep experience in the Oval Office, and the determined drive to defeat Trump at the ballot box. As not only the first female, but also the first Black and first South Asian American VP, Harris will continue to break boundaries and build a better nation leading the White House.

“As our first Party Chair who is a woman of colour, an elected official, and a Democratic Presidential Delegate, Kamala has my vote for a fairer and stronger future, as she continues to ensure the promises of our country for all people,” Bichotte Hermelyn said about Harris.

Without indicating whether he will endorse Harris as the Democratic Party presidential nominee, Democratic party leader Hakeem Jeffries, whose eighth Congressional District in Brooklyn and Queens comprises a large concentration of Caribbean immigrants, lauded Biden as “one of the most accomplished and consequential leaders in American history.

“In less than one term, he rescued the nation from a once-in-a-century pandemic, brought the economy roaring back from the brink of recession, enacted consequential legislation for everyday Americans and saved our democracy by defeating the Insurrectionist-in-Chief,” said Jeffries, the House of Representatives Minority Leader.

“America is a better place today because President Joe Biden has led us with intellect, grace and dignity. We are forever grateful.”

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, the second Black mayor after the late David N Dinkins to be mayor of the city, also said that America “owes a debt of gratitude to President Joe Biden for his decades of service.

“He and his team took us out of covid, stabilised the country, and restored the soul of the nation. President Biden is now again delivering for the American people by passing the torch at a critical moment, when the country needs strong leadership from a new generation.

“From here, the Democratic Party must continue to put working-people first and address their concerns about the cost of living, public safety, and our shared democratic values. I look forward to working with senior members of the party, as we make our push towards November, and ensure we address the concerns of New Yorkers and all Americans,” Adams said.

Support for Harris has also poured in from the world of pop music.

Support poured in from Janelle Monáe, John Legend, Katy Perry and Charli XCX, whose album “brat” inspired the Internet trend of “brat summer” and many Harris memes. (As a result, Harris’ campaign quickly set its X banner photo to the striking Shrek-green colour of Charli’s “brat” album cover.) On TikTok, users have remixed Harris’ speeches into songs by Taylor Swift, Chappell Roan, Carly Rae Jepsen and more.

On July 26, former president Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama announced in a video that they have endorsed Harris.