Kerri Evelyn Harris

Harris (right) with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (left) in 2018

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][6][7] Harris identifies as a progressive, but when asked if she was a democratic socialist, Harris said she "doesn’t necessarily consider herself one."[8] 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.[9][10][11][12][13][14] Ocasio-Cortez held multiple rallies with Harris in Delaware after Harris assisted her with her own successful primary campaign against incumbent congressman Joe Crowley.[15][16] 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.[17][18][19]

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.[20][3] She defeated Republican Cheryl Precourt in the general election on November 8, 2022 by a 16-point margin.[21][22]

Harris lives in Dover, Delaware. She joined the United States Air Force in 2001 following the September 11 terrorist attacks and retired from active duty in 2008.[23][1] Harris identifies as a lesbian.[24] She has two children.[1]