The seemingly disastrous election in 2016 has left Democrats hoping for a comeback in 2020. While Donald Trump is the only Republican to declare he is running in 2020, nine Democrats have already declared their intentions to run, four of these nine being women. This encouraging number illustrates that there is hope for our nation and it could quite possibly be a woman that reclaims the throne. Two standout female candidates who have specifically caught the public’s eye are Kamala Harris and Kirsten Gillibrand. So here is everything you need to know about these two fierce, independent women running for president in 2020.
Kamala Harris is a standout politician who seems to be a favorite heading in to campaign season. Harris is a first generation American born in Oakland, CA: her father being Jamaican and mother being from India. After serving as Attorney General until 2016, Harris became the country’s first South Asian American and California’s first African-American senator. Healthcare is a key aspect of Harris’ campaign, and she has pushed that “health care should be a right, but the reality is that it is still a privilege in this country. We need that to change,” (Elle.com). Harris is also strongly against Trump’s border wall proposal and is an advocate for the DREAM Act and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). In a country divided by issues such as abortion and women’s rights, Harris is notably supported by Planned Parenthood and is passionate about protecting Roe v. Wade. She was also noted for aggressively questioning Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his testimony and eventually voted against his confirmation. It’s also important to note that Harris is continuing the fight for gun control, hoping to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines in a country plagued by mass shootings.
Kirsten Gillibrand, a strongminded Senator of New York, has taken the 2020 elections by storm after announcing she is running for president on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Gillibrand’s motivating factor was the political chaos that Trump’s era incited among the nation. Growing up in a political environment in Albany, New York, she started off her career working in a law firm before running for office. Gillibrand ran as a Democrat for a seat on the House in a generally Republican area, yet won in 2006. She then went on to become the youngest member of the Senate in 2010 at 43 years old. Like Harris, Gillibrand is a strong advocate for women’s rights, and will specifically prioritize helping victims of sexual assault. In the past, she was instrumental in passing the 2013 bill to protect sexual assault victims in the military and destroying the infamous “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” rule. Having previously defended Planned Parenthood against conservative attacks and written a book about female idols, Gillibrand has definitely earned the title of a feminist politician. Gillibrand will also push for universal health care, describing it as a right not a privelege. Gillibrand particularly hopes to bring down maternal mortality rates and create affordable child care, connecting her feminist ideals with health care pursuits. Gillibrand has been described as a voice of reason, and her ability to respond to the concerns of blue-collar workers in Upstate New York, while also connect with urban millenials and minorities illustrates that she is more than capable of rebuilding our country.
There is no doubt that Kamala Harris and Kirsten Gillibrand are both extremely qualified and adept to become the next United States’ President. After a disastrous four years with Trump as our leader, it is quite obvious that a change needs to be made, and what better change than to have a women as president. Let’s remember to vote not only for what’s best for ourselves, but also what’s best for our families, communities, and future children.
Sources:
https://www.marieclaire.com/politics/a25922351/kirsten-gillibrand-policies/
https://twitter.com/SenGillibrand
https://twitter.com/KamalaHarris