In a whirlwind of political developments, former California Assembly Speaker and San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown has responded publicly following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 race. Biden’s endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris, who was once romantically involved with Brown, has stirred conversation, and Brown hasn’t held back his thoughts.
During interviews with Politico and local outlet KRON-4, Brown shared his insights on Harris’ rise to the forefront of the Democratic Party, even joking that her ascent to the presidency could lead to his own personal downfall. “If she becomes president, she’ll deport my ass back to Texas,” Brown quipped, showcasing his humor while discussing the weight of Harris’ candidacy.
However, Brown didn’t just joke around—he emphasized the historical significance of Harris’ potential presidency. “It is historic, of course it is, and everybody wants desperately to be a part of it,” he said. Brown believes Harris is the one candidate who could take on former President Donald Trump, adding, “She has to show to Democrats she can beat Trump—the goal is to win the election for Democrats and keep Trump out.”
Family Tensions: A Father’s Disapproval
While Brown may still hold Harris in high regard, the Vice President’s rise to prominence hasn’t come without controversy, even within her own family. During her 2020 presidential campaign, Harris faced backlash from none other than her father, Donald Harris, a retired Stanford professor. The tension began after Kamala Harris mentioned her Jamaican heritage during a conversation about marijuana legalization on The Breakfast Club radio show. Harris joked that she supported legalization because “half my family’s from Jamaica.”
This comment did not sit well with her father. In a scathing rebuke, Donald Harris accused his daughter of perpetuating a harmful stereotype, saying she was “fraudulently” associating Jamaicans with “pot-smoking joy seekers.” He further criticized her for what he saw as a ploy to engage in identity politics. “My dear departed grandmothers… as well as my deceased parents, must be turning in their graves right now to see their family’s name… connected with the fraudulent stereotype of a pot-smoking joy seeker,” he wrote in a statement to Jamaica Global Online.
Donald Harris went on to distance his family from the comment, saying, “Speaking for myself and my immediate Jamaican family, we wish to categorically dissociate ourselves from this travesty.”
Staff Turnover: An Ongoing Challenge
As if family tensions weren’t enough, Harris has also struggled with high staff turnover, a problem that has followed her throughout her political career. Recently, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy raised concerns about Harris’ ability to maintain a stable working environment, citing her documented struggles with staff retention. During an appearance on Life, Liberty & Levin, McCarthy remarked, “Nobody lasts very long. Even as VP, when she didn’t do anything, she could not keep staff. How she treats people around her is a real indication of what she’ll do in the future.”
McCarthy’s comments echoed long-standing rumors of a toxic work environment within Harris’ office. Reports from government watchdog organization OpenTheBooks.com revealed that Harris faced a 91.5% staff turnover rate in her first three years as Vice President. By March 2024, only four of her original 47 staffers remained, with 24 having left in the last year alone. While Harris currently employs 50 staffers, this rapid turnover has raised red flags about her leadership style.
Despite these challenges, Harris remains a central figure in the Democratic Party’s 2024 bid to retain the White House. Brown’s endorsement of her candidacy reflects a broader understanding of the historic significance of her potential presidency, but it also highlights the personal and professional controversies that continue to surround her rise to power.
As the race heats up, all eyes will be on Kamala Harris to see if she can unite the Democratic Party and overcome both internal and external obstacles to defeat Trump in the 2024 election.