In the wake of President Biden's endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris as his potential successor in the 2024 presidential race, several Republican lawmakers have faced backlash for suggesting that Harris primarily secured her position based on her gender and race. GOP Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee referred to Harris as a "DEI vice president," alluding to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Rep. Harriet Hageman of Wyoming called Harris a "DEI hire" and disparagingly labeled her as being "intellectually, just really kind of the bottom of the barrel." Rep. Glenn Grothman of Wisconsin also insinuated that Democrats felt obligated to support Harris due to her ethnic background.

However, Harris, who currently holds the position of vice president, boasts a wealth of experience in public office and is an accomplished politician. She has won statewide elections in California for the U.S. Senate and state attorney general, and her political journey began two decades ago when she first won the race for San Francisco district attorney in 2004.

Criticism of Harris as a DEI candidate did not sit well with some Republicans, including former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who referred to such comments as "totally stupid and dumb" during an appearance on NBC News' podcast "Meet the Press NOW."

Moreover, other Republicans have been urging their party colleagues to tone down the rhetoric. Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida, in an interview with CBS News, confirmed that the remarks about DEI made by his colleagues had been addressed, emphasizing that it was not the direction they wished to take. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson also emphasized that the upcoming election should focus on policies rather than personalities, asserting that Harris' ethnicity or gender should be irrelevant.

Unfortunately, attacks targeting Harris' gender and race are not new. Supporters of former President Donald Trump have incessantly insulted Harris, using derogatory terms such as "Joe and the Hoe." In 2021, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, now Trump's running mate, made derogatory remarks, implying that the country was being led by "a bunch of childless cat ladies," including Harris. However, it is important to note that Harris has been a stepmother to two children from her husband's previous marriage.

Recently, Harris' stepdaughter, Ella Emhoff, took to Instagram to express her love for her three parents. Furthermore, Doug Emhoff's ex-wife, in a statement to The New York Times, acknowledged Harris' role as a co-parent and described her as loving, nurturing, fiercely protective, and consistently present.

Critics have also brought up an old attack on Harris, suggesting that her past relationships propelled her political rise. During the 1990s, Harris dated Willie Brown, who later became the mayor of San Francisco. However, it should be noted that their relationship ended in 1995, long before Harris was elected as San Francisco district attorney and later as the state's attorney general.

Harris faced scrutiny over her association with Brown during her 2003 campaign for San Francisco district attorney, but she defended herself against criticism, emphasizing her independence from him. She confidently stated in an interview with SF Weekly, "I refuse to design my campaign around criticizing Willie Brown for the sake of appearing to be independent when I have no doubt that I am independent of him."

The perception that Harris did not earn her place in politics could be fueled by long-standing double standards. According to a 2023 Pew study, over half of Americans believe that women must work harder than men when seeking high political office. As a woman of color, Harris is more likely to be subjected to this kind of rhetoric, according to Nina Jankowicz, a disinformation researcher and founder of the American Sunlight Project. Jankowicz, who has also faced gendered attacks, noted that such rhetoric aims to undermine Harris' legitimacy, professionalism, and accomplishments.

Harris' record as a senator and vice president speaks for itself, and her role as a prominent woman in American politics during the 2020 election cannot be overlooked. Nevertheless, efforts to discredit her persist, with some individuals alleging that her accomplishments are diminished because of her status as a Black woman.

As the 2024 election approaches, it is crucial that political discourse centers on policies rather than personal attacks, ensuring that the focus remains on the qualifications and achievements of the candidates.