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Kamala Harris Draws on Her Childhood to Create a Breakout 2020 Moment

Democrat seized debate with attack on Biden’s record on race
Remarks could propel her to top tier of Democratic contenders

Kamala Harris — Kamala Harris
Photographer: Jayme Gershen/Bloomberg

By

Tyler Pager and

Jennifer Epstein

June 28, 2019, 7:45 PM UTCUpdated onJune 28, 2019, 8:12 PM UTC

Kamala Harris created a breakout moment for her campaign Thursday night by reaching deep into her past.

The California senator has pitched herself to Democratic voters as a steely prosecutor well equipped to take on the fight against President Donald Trump next year. But it was her personal story of being a little girl bused to integrate an elementary school that may propel her into a top contender for the Democratic nomination.