Harris and Trump will debate for the first time tonight

Published

September 10, 2024 at 6:28 p.m. EDT

Saul Loeb

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AFP via Getty Images

It’s been more than 20 years since Kamala Harris first began preparing for political debates, but the parallels between that first race and her current race for the White House reveal some striking similarities.

When Harris ran for San Francisco district attorney in 2003, she faced a tight primary election cycle, facing two opponents who were better known than her, including incumbent Terence Hallinan. And Hallinan, like Harris’ current opponent, former President Donald Trump, had a tendency to mispronounce her first name.

In the 2003 primary Harris needed a standout moment to make a name for himself.

“We were the underdogs. We were in the middle,” said Rebecca Prozan, Harris’ campaign manager in that race. “And with her background, she had to outdo both of them, and not just outdo them – she had to crush them.”

There were at least a dozen debates in this primary, but the debate in the auditorium of James Lick Middle School gave Harris her big moment.

Harris was asked about San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, whom she once dated. She could have answered in a personal way, but instead Harris dodged the question. She used the question as an opportunity to point out the negative attacks her opponents have made on each other. For example, Hallinan had recently criticized her other opponent, Bill Fazio, for being caught raiding a massage parlor.

Harris stood between the two men on the stage and said she would focus her campaign on the issues that were important to voters. The audience was delighted.

That moment sent a message: “You’re not going to boss me around. I’m here. I’m running. I’m going to win,” Prozan said.

Harris defeated Fazio in the runoff and later defeated Hallinan in the primary.

Here you can read more about how Harris prepared for past debates and how she performed in them – and what special challenges today’s debate with Trump presents for her.