For the second time in eight years, a woman has claimed the Democratic nomination for President of the United States, only to fall short at the final hurdle, with gender remaining a central issue throughout the campaign.
Kamala Harris, like Hillary Clinton in 2016, had the opportunity to become the first female president but was defeated by former President Donald Trump in a bitter and highly polarized election.
Despite her strong campaign and vocal support for women’s rights, Harris was unable to overcome the combination of Trump’s charismatic appeal and what many observers have described as gendered bias in the race.
Trump, who has long faced accusations that he denies, used his campaign to project a hypermasculine image, frequently surrounded by male athletes and authoritarian leaders. His public statements often crossed the line into misogyny, with derogatory comments aimed at Harris, such as calling her "crazy" and "mentally disabled," and claiming she would be a "play toy" for world leaders if elected.
Trump's running mate, Senator J.D. Vance, further fueled gendered tensions, revisiting his 2021 remarks about "childless cat ladies" running the country and dismissing concerns with an offhand joke, saying, “I’ve got nothing against cats.”
Harris, in contrast, emphasized women’s rights, including a staunch defense of abortion access, and relied heavily on support from high-profile female celebrities such as Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, and Oprah Winfrey to appeal to voters, including some conservative women. However, this focus on women's rights did not seem to sway enough moderate voters.
While Harris refrained from campaigning overtly on the fact that she would be the first woman president, she was deeply committed to advancing gender equality. Despite her efforts, the campaign faced an undeniable double standard, with many questioning why Harris was held to higher standards of intelligence, professionalism, and demeanor compared to Trump.
Michelle Obama, in a powerful speech at a campaign rally, pointed out the stark contrast between the expectations placed on Harris and the low bar for Trump, noting, "For Harris, we expect her to be intelligent, articulate, and poised, but for Trump, we expect nothing at all."
The Center for American Women and Politics highlighted the challenges women face when running for office, particularly women of color like Harris, calling out the unequal expectations and double standards that continue to shape political contests in the U.S.
While Harris's loss marks another setback for women in American politics, advocates for gender equality remain determined, with the Center stating, “Women have held every political office in America. Except one.” The work for a more equal political landscape continues.
