Emmalee Martyak

Vice President Kamala Harris takes her official portrait Thursday, March 4, 2021, in the South Court Auditorium in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

The 2024 election will choose the 47th United States President: the person who will not only be at the forefront of the United States and how it is seen by other nations, but who will also determine the future of the country. With all of this in mind, who is the better choice between the Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, and the Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump?

In the 2024 election, the Mountain Echo Newspaper chooses to endorse Kamala Harris for President of the United States. 

This endorsement doesn’t come entirely due to her proposed policy or already established record; however. While these are things that are supported and impressive in their own right, it is also worth noting that the other option, Donald Trump, is not a person who should be the face of the United States. 

Simply: Harris is running on a platform supporting democracy and individual freedoms; values that are important that Trump unfortunately does not share. Because of this, the Mountain Echo cannot support the former president in the upcoming election. 

Harris became the Democratic nominee following the primary election winner, President Joe Biden’s dropping out of the race. Harris officially accepted the presidential nomination at the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 22. She is running with Minnesota governor Tim Walz as her vice president pick. 

Trump became the Republican nominee following his third primary election win, preceded by primary wins in 2020 and 2016, and general election win in 2016. He accepted the nomination at the Republican National Convention on July 18. His running mate is Ohio Senator JD Vance. Trump’s former VP, Mike Pence, has said that their different opinions on issues led to him not running again. Pence has said he will not support Trump in the 2024 election, endorsing neither nominee. 

Kamala Harris has a distinguished career in public service that spans over two decades. She began her journey in law as the District Attorney for San Francisco, where she focused on progressive reforms in the criminal justice system. Following this, she served as the Attorney General of California, championing initiatives on consumer protection, healthcare and criminal justice reform. In 2016, Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate, where she quickly made a name for herself as a leading voice on issues such as immigration, healthcare and civil rights. Currently, she serves as the Vice President of the United States, making history by breaking the most ties in the Senate, being the first woman of South Asian and African descent to hold this office. Her background reflects a deep commitment to justice and equity, aligning closely with the Democratic platform and the values America proposes itself to have. 

 Trump has led a career as a New York City businessman and billionaire since taking over his father’s real estate company in 1971. Only when he began his presidential career did he become a politician. 

Looking into her term, Harris promises to reinstate protections on reproductive freedom, protect the rights of minorities, including people of color and LGBTQ citizens. She plans to combat climate change, reform the immigration process, give lower and working class citizens more generous tax benefits and increase taxes on the excessively wealthy. She aims to legalize marijuana, and will continue to support Ukraine in their war against Russia. She has neglected to make an official stance on the war between Israel and Hamas. 

In contrast, Trump’s proposed policies on these issues fall short, either existing in a way that isn’t agreeable, or they don’t exist at all. 

All in all, the choice remains clear. Kamala Harris is a much, much better candidate for the 2024 election.