Here's what will happen with Kamala Harris' Senate seat if she's elected vice president

California Sen. Kamala Harris

On Tuesday, Joe Biden announced that he had chosen California Sen. Kamala Harris, who would be the first woman to serve as vice president, as his running mate. Harris’ 2016 win made her the first Black person to represent California in the Senate, as well as the first Indian American to serve in the chamber. If she's elected to the vice presidency, she'd achieve another historic milestone as the first person of color to hold the post.

And if the Biden-Harris ticket is successful this fall, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom would be tasked with appointing Harris’ successor in the Senate. That person would serve through 2022, when Harris’ term expires. Under California law, all candidates—which would likely include whomever Newsom might appoint—would compete in a top-two primary that year, and the two contenders with the most votes would advance to the general election.

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