As the 2024 election approaches, Vice President Kamala Harris continues to face challenges in connecting with key voter blocs. While Harris has often spoken about her racial background as a woman of African American and South Asian descent, relying on shared identity alone has proven insufficient to galvanize broad voter support. This reflects a larger issue in identity politics, where a politician’s ethnic background may attract attention but doesn’t necessarily translate to electoral success.
Harris' mixed heritage—being the daughter of an Indian mother and Jamaican father—positions her as a symbol of America’s growing diversity. However, analysts argue that merely highlighting her identity isn't enough. Voters, especially minority groups, want to see how this identity translates into tangible action on the issues that matter to them. Many voters are looking for leadership that addresses the systemic inequalities they face, such as economic hardship and racial justice, rather than symbolic representation alone.
🚨BREAKING: Univision accidentally broadcast proof that Comrade Kamala used a teleprompter at her town hall 🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/d8yjUeJB1H
— AJ Huber (@Huberton) October 11, 2024
Although Harris has embraced her racial identity and discussed it publicly, critics suggest she has not successfully convinced enough voters that she shares their "linked fate"—a term used in political science to describe how marginalized groups perceive their fates as intertwined with those of their political representatives. This perception is critical for voters deciding whether to back a candidate based on shared identity. Without this connection, symbolic representation loses its political power. As political scientist Pawan Dhingra notes, "identity must be paired with policy that resonates with voters' daily experiences" for it to be effective in gaining electoral support.
Harris' difficulties in bridging this gap are particularly noticeable among Black voters. Although she is of African American heritage, many within the Black community have expressed skepticism about her ability to champion their issues effectively. Her tenure as a prosecutor, where she took stances that some felt disproportionately affected African American communities, has created doubts among some voters about her alignment with their concerns. Furthermore, younger Black voters—part of the Democratic base Harris should be able to rely on—are increasingly focused on issues like police reform, climate change, and economic inequality. Harris' record in these areas has been scrutinized, with some arguing that her policies haven’t adequately addressed these pressing matters.
It turns out the day Kamala was bitching at DeSantis for not taking her phone call as a hurricane was barreling towards Florida, even though she is not in the chain of command on hurricane response, was the same day that she was doing a photoshoot with Vogue. pic.twitter.com/YMrQhZrnZN
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) October 11, 2024
Harris also faces challenges among other racial groups. While she often speaks about her South Asian background, this has not been enough to galvanize significant support from the Asian American community. Although many view her background positively, the community remains diverse, with varying political priorities. For example, while some focus on immigration reform, others prioritize small business support, issues where Harris has been seen as lacking a clear stance.
The complexity of Harris' identity highlights the limitations of identity politics in modern American elections. For politicians, being able to connect with voters on shared racial or ethnic backgrounds can be a powerful tool, but only when it is coupled with policies that reflect the lived realities of those groups. This dynamic is especially critical as demographic changes reshape the American electorate. A Pew Research Center study noted the rise of multiracial Americans, with millions now identifying as having multiple ethnic backgrounds. These shifts mean that politicians like Harris, who embody these trends, must find ways to relate to the diverse experiences of voters rather than relying solely on shared identity to gain support.
Despite her identity being a groundbreaking feature of her candidacy, Harris’ reliance on it without stronger policy proposals may be why she continues to face challenges in rallying a consistent and enthusiastic voter base. For many, it is not enough that Harris represents a demographic milestone; they also want to see concrete actions that address the systemic challenges facing their communities.
In sum, Harris’ experience exemplifies a broader lesson in politics: identity alone cannot win elections. Politicians must go beyond symbolic representation and connect with voters through policies that demonstrate a commitment to improving their lives, particularly among communities that have long been marginalized in American politics. As Harris continues her campaign, she will need to offer more than her identity to effectively appeal to the electorate.
