WASHINGTON — After gaining momentum since announcing her candidacy, Vice President Kamala Harris heads to Chicago this week for the Democratic National Convention, where she has a crucial opportunity to reintroduce herself to undecided Americans and keep Donald Trump on the defensive with less than three months before the election.
Unlike most major party nominees in recent history, Harris’ background remains relatively unknown to many voters, as she accepted the Democratic nomination without securing a single primary vote or undergoing the challenges of a lengthy campaign.
To define her identity and values, Harris is expected to use the convention to share her personal story in relatable, working-class terms—a daughter of immigrants who worked at McDonald’s during college—while Republicans continue to label her as too liberal and inexperienced.
The timing of the convention, scheduled by the DNC to occur a week after the Olympic Games, creates an ideal scenario for the rising Harris. It allows her to showcase the enthusiasm she’s generated among Democratic voters to a primetime audience.
However, to maintain her momentum, Harris may need to achieve what Trump couldn’t during the Republican National Convention: delivering a message that resonates with a broader electorate beyond the party insiders and activists gathered at the United Center.
