Why would people vote for Kamala Harris? 5 things to understand about why her supporters back her

(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)

Alex Hinton, Rutgers University - Newark

(THE CONVERSATION) Kamala Harris has the support of nearly 49% of voters, according to recent polling. Why do those people support her for president?

For many on the right, the support for the candidate some critics call “Comrade Kamala” can be baffling or even suggest they are brainwashed.

People have called her a “Marxist ideologue,” a “communist” and a “California radical.” Other critics, including Republican politicians, have labeled Harris a “DEI candidate” who lacks the intelligence and qualifications to be president.

I am an anthropologist of peace and conflict who has long...