Kamala Harris’s defeat in the 2024 U.S. presidential election underscores a complex array of social, political, and demographic factors that continue to shape American electoral politics. Her loss to Donald Trump—marking Trump’s second victory against a Democratic female candidate—has left political analysts and strategists reflecting on the enduring role that race and gender play in influencing voter perceptions and outcomes.
Harris’s campaign was historic. She would have been the first woman, first Black woman, and first South Asian woman to hold the nation’s highest office. Yet her qualifications and her message of unity, geared toward “all Americans,” ultimately fell short in what many experts believe was an uphill battle against deeply embedded biases in the U.S. electorate. Unlike past Democratic candidates, Harris faced a unique combination of obstacles due to her race, gender, and identity—factors that may have contributed to her inability to fully mobilize a coalition strong enough to counter Trump’s loyal base.
Race and Gender Dynamics in Harris’s Campaign
Throughout the campaign, Harris confronted both overt and subtle forms of discrimination that highlighted unresolved issues in American society around race and gender. Public opinion researcher Tresa Undem noted that the electorate’s attitudes toward race and gender significantly influenced Harris’s campaign. For many voters, these factors weren’t merely ancillary but central to their perceptions of her candidacy. As Andra Gillespie, a political scientist at Emory University, explained, Harris faced a “double bind”—a compounded form of discrimination rooted in both misogyny and racism that goes beyond what previous candidates like Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton experienced. While Obama faced challenges related to his race and Clinton encountered gendered attacks, Harris’s identity as both a woman and a person of color created unique challenges in appealing to a broad swath of voters.
This intersection of race and gender made Harris a frequent target of Trump’s rhetoric. He labeled her “low IQ” and “mentally disabled”—language that analysts like Nadia Brown, director of the women’s and gender studies program at Georgetown University, argue is emblematic of a broader pattern of undermining her qualifications. Brown contends that Trump’s rhetoric emboldened his supporters to view Harris as an “unqualified” candidate, despite her extensive background in government, including her experience as a senator, vice president, and former public prosecutor.
Tensions Within the Democratic Base
Harris’s loss has also exposed fractures within the Democratic base that could have long-term implications for the party. Her stance on Israel’s conflict with Gaza, which echoed the Biden administration’s support of Israel, alienated many progressive voters, especially Arab Americans and Muslim communities who largely oppose U.S. endorsement of Israeli military actions. For Dalia Mogahed, a former research director at the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, Harris’s stance was a critical miscalculation. Mogahed warned early on that pro-Israel policies might isolate key demographics, costing Democrats support from voters who feel personally affected by the conflict in Gaza.
Rasha Mubarak, a Palestinian American community organizer, argues that Harris’s failure to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza led to disillusionment among her progressive base, which had previously looked to the Democratic Party for a more compassionate foreign policy. Mubarak pointed out that while both parties have supported Israel, Democrats missed an opportunity to advocate for a more balanced approach. By sticking to established policies, the Biden-Harris administration inadvertently pushed some voters to question the party’s commitment to representing diverse perspectives.
Strategic Oversights and Lessons for Democrats
Harris’s condensed three-month campaign—following Biden’s sudden withdrawal in July—created additional challenges. Former Harris advisor Mike Nellis highlighted that the campaign’s short duration limited her ability to establish a strong and cohesive message, making it difficult to build connections with undecided or swing voters. Nellis noted that the Democratic Party has consistently struggled to appeal to non-college-educated white men, rural voters, and conservative demographics—groups that have increasingly shifted toward the Republican Party.
As Democrats analyze the election’s outcome, many within the party are calling for a shift in strategy. Nellis emphasized the need to engage directly with traditionally Republican-leaning communities and take steps to win back voters who feel abandoned. He believes Democrats must address internal divisions and identify ways to connect with disenchanted voters by focusing on local issues, economic concerns, and social challenges.
The Road Ahead: Confronting Trump’s Agenda and Reshaping the Democratic Message
As Trump prepares to enter his second term, Democrats face mounting pressure to unify and counter his administration’s expected policy initiatives. The Biden-Harris administration’s policies on immigration, healthcare, and environmental protections may be swiftly dismantled, raising concerns among progressives about the potential impact on marginalized communities. With Trump’s victory signaling a continued appetite for his brand of populism, Democrats must reevaluate their approach to ensure they can effectively mobilize voters in upcoming elections.
The implications of Harris’s defeat extend beyond the immediate future. Analysts like Tammy Vigil, a professor at Boston University, argue that her loss highlights the deep-rooted challenges that female and minority candidates face in a political landscape still shaped by white, heteronormative, patriarchal values. For the Democratic Party, a crucial question remains: How can it create an inclusive platform that resonates across a broader demographic without alienating key segments of its progressive base?
Harris’s defeat reflects the unfinished work in addressing race and gender dynamics in U.S. politics. Moving forward, Democrats must reconcile the diverse needs of their base and explore strategies that resonate with the broader American electorate. Without a cohesive strategy that bridges demographic divides, Democrats may struggle to build a winning coalition capable of countering Trump’s influence in future elections.
Sahadat Russell, Associate Editor The Voice.