The sudden political rise of Kamala Harris echoes that of another female politician, New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern

Kamala Harris and Kamala Harris and Jacinda Ardern

Kamala Harris’ quick, unexpected transformation from a low-profile vice president to the headline-dominating Democratic presidential nominee has upended the 2024 election in just a few short weeks.

Across the Pacific Ocean, Harris’ story may resonate with New Zealanders, like myself, who see parallels with Jacinda Ardern, a young, politically astute liberal, and her sudden rise to her party’s leadership in 2017. Ardern’s swift...