Vice President Kamala Harris's younger sister, Maya Harris, has noticeably retreated from the public eye in recent months.
According to a report from the Daily Mail, Maya Harris, once described as Kamala's "Bobby Kennedy," has taken a markedly low profile in her sister's presidential campaign. This shift comes after Maya's prominent role in Kamala's unsuccessful 2020 presidential bid.
The Harris sisters have long been known for their close relationship and professional collaborations. Maya played a crucial role in Kamala's rise to become California's Attorney General and later a U.S. Senator. However, her involvement in the 2020 campaign drew criticism from within Democratic circles.
Maya served as the campaign chairperson for Kamala's 2020 presidential run, which ended abruptly in December 2019 before the Iowa caucuses. Democratic sources reportedly blamed Maya for pushing Kamala's political positions too far left, even beyond those of self-proclaimed socialist Senator Bernie Sanders.
The campaign advocated for policies such as socialized medicine, taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegal immigrants, a fracking ban, decriminalizing prostitution and illegal border crossings, and endorsing the Green New Deal. Some within the party saw these positions as too radical.
A Politico article at the time stated that Maya was "involved in virtually every facet of the race," leading some to view her as a key factor in the campaign's failure. While the official campaign manager, Juan Rodriguez, took much of the public blame, reports suggested he often deferred to Maya's judgment.
Sources close to the Harris family revealed that some relatives blamed Maya for Kamala's unsuccessful 2020 campaign. Despite this setback, Maya remained a close confidante to her sister. When President Joe Biden announced he would not seek re-election and endorsed Kamala as his successor, Maya was among the first to join the vice president at her Washington residence. However, since then, Maya's public appearances have been scarce.
While Maya has stepped back, her husband, Tony West, has reportedly taken on a more prominent advisory role in Kamala's current campaign. West, a former high-ranking official in the Obama administration and current Uber executive is said to be a regular presence on Air Force Two and acts as a liaison between the vice president and the business community.
Bakari Sellers, a CNN commentator close to the Harris campaign, described West's role: "There's nothing that happens in the campaign that he's not part of." This description bears a striking resemblance to Maya's previous role in the 2020 campaign, suggesting a potential shift in family dynamics within Kamala's inner circle.
The apparent sidelining of Maya Harris represents a significant change in Kamala's campaign strategy. While Maya remains a trusted sibling and likely continues to influence her sister behind the scenes, her reduced public presence may be an attempt to address criticisms from the 2020 campaign.
As Kamala Harris gears up for the 2024 presidential race, her team seems to be taking a more measured approach, potentially learning from past missteps. The evolving roles of family members in her campaign reflect the high stakes and intense scrutiny that come with a presidential bid.
As the campaign progresses, questions remain about the future roles of Kamala's family members should she win the presidency. While Maya once jokingly referred to potentially calling her sister "Miss President," the more pressing question may be what role if any, Maya and Tony West might play in a Harris administration.
The shifting dynamics within Kamala Harris's inner circle highlight the complex interplay of family, politics, and strategy in high-stakes national campaigns. As the 2024 election approaches, all eyes will be on how these relationships evolve and impact Kamala's bid for the presidency.
