Kamala Harris, Attorney General of California, made history last night after beating opponent Loretta Sanchez and becoming the first black woman to represent California in the Senate. Harris is California’s first new U.S. senator in 24 years. She is also the second black woman in the history of the United States to occupy a Senate seat. The first black woman senator, Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois, served one term from 1993 to 1999.
Kamala Harris began her political career 20 years ago as the Deputy District Attorney Alameda County, California, from 1990 to 1998.
Harris, a California native, was born to an Indian American mother and a Jamaican American father. Her historic win also makes her the first Indian American to serve in the United States Senate.
The newly elected senator delivered her victory speech shortly before the results of the presidential election, anticipating a Trump Win.
“Whatever the results of the presidential election tonight, we know that we have a task in front of us. We know the stakes are high,” Harris told an excited crowd. “When we have been attacked and when our ideals and fundamental ideals are being attacked, do we retreat or do we fight? I say we fight!”
She also shared her message on her official Instagram page, where she captioned the clip – “We won’t stop fighting.”