The outcome of the tight race between Harris, a Democrat, and Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley came a full three weeks after election day. The Republican phoned Harris on Wednesday morning to concede defeat and congratulate her on her win.
Harris' victory completes a clean sweep of the eight statewide offices for California Democrats, and is widely viewed as a win for environmentalists, health care reform advocates, same-sex marriage proponents and medical marijuana supporters.
Born-October 20, 1964 (age 46)
Oakland, California, U.S.
Political party-Democratic
Alma mater-University of California, Hastings College of the Law
Howard University
Profession-Lawyer
Website-kamalaharris.org
"In Kamala Harris, Californians have elected a dynamic leader with a passion for justice that will serve our state well," said California Labor Federation Executive Secretary-Treasurer Art Pulaski, who noted that the Golden State bucked national trends in sweeping Democrats to victory. "While much of the country took a step backward this past election, Californians rejected a return to the failed policies that brought our nation's economy to its knees."
Harris' achievement will leave San Francisco, which is already set to lose its mayor, without a top prosecutor. Lt. Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom and Harris are scheduled to take office Jan. 3.
Newsom has indicated that if Harris resigns before he does, he will heed her recommendation in choosing a replacement district attorney.