Chronicled: Who Is Kamala Harris?

Chronicled: Who Is Kamala Harris?

She was raised in Berkeley by civil rights activists and became politically active during anti-Apartheid protests at Howard University. Then she turned a career as a prosecutor into being one of the most progressive members of the Senate. She was the first Black woman and first South Asian person on a major-party presidential ticket, and is the first to be elected vice president. But who is she? Cop or progressive? Berkeley radical or Beltway insider? A six-part series on the making of a candidate — now a vice president — by reporters Joe Garofoli and Tal Kopan of the San Francisco Chronicle, which has been covering Harris from the beginning.

Episodes

October 9, 2020 2 mins
Is she a progressive or a cop? A Berkeley radical or a Beltway insider? In this biographical series, San Francisco Chronicle reporters Joe Garofoli and Tal Kopan tell the story of the life and career of Kamala Harris. From her first political experiences — when her activist, immigrant parents brought her to protests in a stroller — through her pioneering stints as San Francisco district attorney and California attorney general, the...
Mark as Played
After a failed presidential campaign during which she clashed with Democratic front-runner Joe Biden, Kamala Harris returns to Washington and soon becomes a front-runner herself as the most likely choice to become Biden’s running mate. He invites her to join the ticket in August, and a moment from her debate with Vice President Mike Pence goes viral when she refuses to let him interrupt her. Reported by Tal Kopan and Joe Garofoli. ...
Mark as Played
Kamala Harris is elected to the Senate the same night that Donald Trump is elected president. The victory speech she’d planned suddenly becomes useless. Instead, she pledges to fight, and quickly becomes one of the most consistently progressive voices in the Senate and a fierce questioner of Jeff Sessions, Brett Kavanaugh and others. Reported by Joe Garofoli and Tal Kopan. Full San Francisco Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Le...
Mark as Played
October 26, 2020 15 mins
Following in the footsteps of one of her heroes, Thurgood Marshall, Kamala Harris attends historically Black Howard University and joins one of the “Divine Nine” fraternities and sororities, Alpha Kappa Alpha. She gets involved in politics, forges lifelong relationships and makes a career decision that shocks her family. Reported by Tal Kopan and Joe Garofoli. Full San Francisco Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more abou...
Mark as Played
October 26, 2020 20 mins
Who is Kamala Harris? Where did she come from? What shaped her worldview, her political stances and her career choices? A look at her childhood in Berkeley in the ’60s and ’70s as the daughter of immigrant activists who grows up in a hotbed of the Free Speech, antiwar and Black Power movements. Reported by Joe Garofoli and Tal Kopan. Full San Francisco Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit me...
Mark as Played
October 26, 2020 21 mins
As attorney general, Kamala Harris takes on Wall Street and wins. It’s part of what she says is her career-long fight “for the people.” But there are times when Harris faces Wall Street and she's the one who blinks, and critics say her law enforcement record disqualifies her from being a true progressive. Reported by Tal Kopan and Joe Garofoli. Full San Francisco Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choice...
Mark as Played
October 26, 2020 18 mins
Kamala Harris starts out as an assistant D.A. in Alameda County and rises through the ranks of prosecutors to become, in her words, “the top cop” — San Francisco district attorney, then California attorney general. Reported by Joe Garofoli and Tal Kopan. Full San Francisco Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mark as Played
A lot has happened since this podcast biography published, including Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ victory in the November election. On the eve of her inauguration as vice president — one who'll be the tie-breaking vote in a 50-50 Senate — Joe Garofoli and Tal Kopan talk about what to expect from Harris and how her personal history will influence her. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices...
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

    Therapy Gecko

    An unlicensed lizard psychologist travels the universe talking to strangers about absolutely nothing. TO CALL THE GECKO: follow me on https://www.twitch.tv/lyleforever to get a notification for when I am taking calls. I am usually live Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays but lately a lot of other times too. I am a gecko.

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.