Thursday, Mar. 29, 2012

Kamala Harris

Age: 47
Occupation: Attorney general of California

This rising Democratic Party star made history in 2010 when she became the first African American (and first woman) to become the attorney general of California. Her biggest win yet came in 2012, when she secured $18 billion worth of relief for California homeowners through the state attorney general's settlement with major financial institutions. Though some criticized the deal as toothless, the $18 billion figure was the largest secured by any state, and tough negotiating throughout the process earned Harris a reputation as a brass-knuckled defender of homeowners' rights.