On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Senator Kamala Harris (D–Calif.) announced that she would enter the presidential race—just behind senators Elizabeth Warren (D–Mass.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D–N.Y.). Together the three candidates have normalized what it means to be a woman in pursuit of the highest office in the land.

Harris, 54, was the first African American and first woman to become California’s attorney general. When she was elected to the Senate in 2016, she became the first South Asian American and the second African American woman ever to serve in the chamber. On the prestigious Senate Judiciary Committee (on which she serves), she's become known for her epic takedowns and incisive questions. (See her treatment of now Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.) And she has exhibited little patience for those who want to silence her.

If Harris wins the Democratic nomination in 2020, she will be the first African American woman to top either of the two major parties' tickets. Here we break down where Harris stands on seven high-profile issues.

Tax Cuts

The first item on Harris' to-do list if she's elected president is to pass a massive tax cut for middle-class families. Her proposal is called Livable Incomes for Families Today and would offer refundable tax credits to families. At a town hall in Iowa, Harris acknowledged that "so many families in America right now…are a $500 emergency away from complete financial catastrophe." Unlike other tax cuts, Harris' bill would allow taxpayers to receive their benefit—up to $500—on a monthly basis.

Reproductive Rights

Harris has never shied away from supporting women's reproductive rights. She's been a longtime friend of Planned Parenthood, and when the Trump administration has threatened the organization, Harris has fought back. "Planned Parenthood is a health care resource to millions of women and men across the country," she said, adding, "In Washington I will continue to defend Planned Parenthood at all costs." Her voting record also reflects her unwavering support of a woman's right to choose. Harris supports public funding for abortion services and wants to keep federal funding for family-planning clinics.

She made her stance on the issue clear when she questioned Justice Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearings in September 2018. After Kavanaugh refused to directly answer questions about his views on Roe v. Wade, Harris asked him whether he knew of any laws "that the government has power to make over the male body." Point proven.

Climate Change

Harris recently announced that she supports the Green New Deal. A bit of background on that: The Green New Deal, a term Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D–N.Y.) helped popularize, would invest in clean-energy jobs and infrastructure to help boost the economy and limit carbon emissions. At a town hall Harris hosted in Iowa, she said, "Climate change is an existential threat, and we have got to deal with the reality of it." Next, she called out politicians who don't believe in global warming: "We have got to deal with the reality of the fact that there are people trying to peddle some ideas that we should deny it. They are peddling science fiction instead of what we should do, which is rely on science fact."

Criminal Justice

During her time as a prosecutor and attorney general, Harris was known for being "tough on crime." Since Harris announced her presidential bid, she's come under fire for her past stance on criminal justice—and has had to defend her record.