Kerri Evelyn Harris

In February 2018, Harris announced that she would be challenging three-term incumbent US Senator Tom Carper in the Democratic primary election.^[4] She ran on a platform supporting Medicare for All, universal pre-K, a $15 an hour minimum wage, and criminal justice reform, among other progressive proposals.^[5][1][6] Harris identifies as a progressive, but has said she "doesn't necessarily consider herself" a democratic socialist.^[7] She received endorsements from progressive groups and individuals, including Justice Democrats, Our Revolution, state representative Sean Lynn, and future congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, and Ayanna Pressley.^{[8][9][10][11][12][13]} Ocasio-Cortez held multiple rallies with Harris in Delaware after Harris assisted her with her own successful primary campaign against incumbent congressman Joe Crowley.^[14][15] Harris lost to incumbent Senator Tom Carper in the September 2018 primary, receiving 35% of the vote. Despite her loss, Harris received the highest vote share of a Democratic primary candidate challenging a statewide incumbent in Delaware in 20 years.^[16][17][18]

Harris announced in January 2022 that she would be launching a campaign for the Delaware House of Representatives in the 32nd district. Harris defeated three other candidates in the Democratic primary, receiving 65% of the vote.^[19][3] She defeated Republican Cheryl Precourt in the general election on November 8, 2022, by a 16-point margin.^[2][20]

Following Carper's retirement announcement in 2023, it was reported that Harris was looking at a 2024 run for U.S. House, since the seat will be vacant due to incumbent Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester's campaign for Carper's U.S. Senate seat.^[21][22] Harris ultimately decided against running.

In June 2023, Harris was elected majority whip for the Democrats in the Delaware House of Representatives.^[23]

Harris lives in Dover, Delaware. She joined the United States Air Force in 2001 following the September 11 terrorist attacks, served as a loadmaster, and retired from active duty in 2008.^[24][1] Harris is a lesbian and an African American.^[23][25][26] She has two children.^[1]