Kamala Harris Makes History Despite 2024 Election Loss, Garnering Record-Breaking Votes
In a remarkable turn of events during the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election, Vice President Kamala Harris may have lost to Donald Trump, but she achieved a historic milestone by securing an impressive 74.3 million popular votes. This total places her among the most popular candidates in U.S. history, surpassing Trump’s own 2020 record of 74.2 million votes. While Trump’s 76.8 million votes in this election put him in second place overall, it’s Harris’s achievement that stands out as a significant moment in American political history.
Harris’s vote total not only eclipses Trump’s previous record but also surpasses the totals of several notable candidates from past elections. For context, Barack Obama’s campaigns in 2008 and 2012 garnered 69.5 million and 69.9 million votes, respectively, while Hillary Clinton received 65.8 million votes in 2016, and George W. Bush pulled in 62 million votes in 2004. The surge in voter turnout this election season has been attributed to a combination of population growth and heightened engagement among the electorate, as reported by Axios.
“The high vote totals for Trump, Biden, and Harris relative to previous cycles are due in large part to population growth. But both were also unusually high-turnout elections,” Axios noted, highlighting the significance of this year’s voter engagement.
Harris’s candidacy was historic in more ways than one. She became the first woman of color to lead a major party ticket and the first alumna of a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to do so. A proud graduate of Howard University, Harris often reflects on how her time there shaped her political journey. She earned her degree in political science and economics in 1986, actively participating in campus life as a member of the debate team and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.
In a heartfelt letter to the Howard University community during the school’s 100th Homecoming Celebration, Harris expressed her gratitude for the institution’s role in her development. “HBCU homecomings have long been a source of strength and celebration. I have so many fond memories as a student at ‘The Mecca,’ and I recognize that my time at Howard shaped me into the person I am today,” she wrote, emphasizing the importance of HBCUs in uplifting future leaders.
As election night unfolded, Harris chose Howard University as both her headquarters and the site for her concession speech, a nod to her roots and the community that helped mold her. Her campaign officially began after President Biden announced his withdrawal from the race on July 21, and by August 3, she had secured enough delegates to become the Democratic nominee.
While the election results may not have been what she hoped for, Kamala Harris’s journey has left an indelible mark on American politics. With record-breaking vote totals and a historic candidacy, she has inspired many and continues to advocate for the values she holds dear. As the dust settles from the election, one thing is clear: Harris’s impact on the political landscape will be felt for years to come.
