Why Kamala Harris’s Past as a Prosecutor is Now Seen as an Asset

A central theme emerged at the Democratic National Convention this week, setting a different tone from Kamala Harris’ previous presidential campaign: the idea that her background as a prosecutor will be an asset in this race.

Seen as a liability by some on the left during her 2020 campaign, Harris’ prosecutorial record is now being presented as a stark contrast to former President Donald Trump, who faces multiple legal challenges. “As a prosecutor, when I had a case, I charged it not in the name of the victim. But in the name of ‘The People,’” Harris stated in her speech accepting the party’s nomination. “For a simple reason: in our system of justice, a harm against any one of us is a harm against all of us.”

Throughout the convention, speakers echoed this sentiment: “Donald Trump rants about law and order as if he wasn’t a convicted criminal running against a prosecutor,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said on Wednesday. 

Angela Alsobrooks, a former prosecutor running for Maryland’s open Senate seat, spoke during her primetime slot at the DNC on Tuesday, saying Harris is the right candidate to challenge Trump: “Getting justice for others isn’t a power trip for her—it’s a sacred calling,” she said. “And hear me—Kamala Harris knows how to keep criminals off the streets. And come November, with your help, she’ll keep one out of the Oval Office.” 

In an interview with TIME after her speech, Alsobrooks elaborated on why she believes Harris’ approach to voters, highlighting her prosecutorial background, will be more effective now than in the 2020 Democratic primary. “I think people are sick of Donald Trump,” Alsobrooks says, sitting in the lobby of her hotel in Chicago hours before Harris, an ally and friend of hers, would accept the nomination. “They can see the real contrast between a person who’s obsessed with himself—he spent time fighting for himself, and she’s been fighting for other people.”

The shift in Harris’ political narrative is striking, especially when considering the backdrop of the 2020 Democratic primary. During that time, her record as a California prosecutor was a point of contention among progressive voters. The murder of George Floyd sparked major protests against police brutality and a renewed focus on criminal justice reform, leading activists and critics on the left to criticize Harris for what they perceived as a tough-on-crime approach during her time as San Francisco District Attorney and California Attorney General.

The change from Harris’ earlier efforts to downplay her prosecutorial record reflects a broader shift within the Democratic Party. The left’s growing concern about crime and public safety issues has changed the political landscape, making Harris’ law enforcement background more acceptable to a wider range of voters. Recent polls indicate that a significant portion of voters are concerned about crime and support a more robust approach to public safety.

This shift in public perception can be attributed to several factors. Crime rates have fluctuated, and despite a decrease in some areas, fears about crime have persisted, fueled in part by Republican advertising that heavily focuses on crime and immigration issues. Democrats have been forced to present a counter-narrative that addresses public anxieties about safety while promoting their own solutions.

There’s also the factor of Harris’ opponent. With Trump facing a multitude of legal battles, including criminal cases related to his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election and a conviction for falsifying business records to cover up hush-money payments to a porn star, Harris’ campaign has emphasized her experience in upholding the rule of law. “I took on perpetrators of all kinds,” Harris said at a recent rally, adding, “I know Donald Trump’s type.” 

Alsobrooks believes there will be a broader takeaway for voters as they learn more about Harris’ background. She describes Harris as a prosecutor who sought to address the root causes of crime rather than simply pursuing punitive measures, emphasizing that her career wasn’t just about incarcerating people but also about addressing systemic issues. “She has a whole record of fighting for other people,” Alsobrooks says, “and I think people now can see that prosecutors are tough, but they’re also compassionate—that their only interest is in justice… fairness and justice for other people is the priority of a prosecutor. And I think they see that in Kamala.”