Harris’ book uncovers her hidden choice for White House chief of staff if she had won 2024.

Kamala Harris Shares Insights in New Memoir

In her new book, “107 Days,” Kamala Harris, the former vice president, reveals that Dennis McDonough was quietly chosen as her Chief of Staff had she won the 2024 presidential election. This insight sheds light on her preparations, which she acknowledges weren’t enough for securing the presidency.

Harris reflects on the short timeframe of just 107 days, noting it was insufficient to tackle the monumental task of winning an election. Yet, her memoir discusses how plans for a potential White House transition were already in motion. “We had planned everything, but with the exception of the actual results, that seemed,” she writes.

In early October 2024, Harris states that McDonough had agreed to take on the chief of staff role a month before election day.

Harris describes McDonough as “a deep, caring man who doesn’t etch words,” emphasizing her trust in him to effectively manage the West Wing. He has an extensive background, having served as the National Security Council Chief of Staff during Barack Obama’s second term and later as Secretary of Veterans Affairs in Biden’s administration.

Recalling a memorable early public event as vice president, Harris shares a sweet memory from Valentine’s Day: McDonough and their spouses visited a VA hospital, where they presented cookies to a nurse. This personal touch illustrates their rapport.

However, in the final chapter of her memoir, Harris expresses lingering distrust as election results began to emerge. Her team had thought through various scenarios, including the possibility of Trump claiming an early victory in Pennsylvania, which could trigger unrest among his supporters. Despite the concerns, Harris remained hopeful about the outcome. Reflecting on the preparations for a celebration, she describes how her social secretary, Storm Horncastle, discreetly removed references to a victory from cupcakes meant for a celebratory event.

Ultimately, Donald Trump won the 2024 election, securing 312 electoral votes to Harris’s 226. Her campaign was notably the shortest in modern history, especially after Biden exited the race in July 2024.