As Vice President Kamala Harris emerges as the front runner for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination, America’s most powerful industry is rallying behind her. The tech sector, particularly from Harris’ home turf in the Bay Area, is showing overwhelming support, signaling a shift in political alliances within Silicon Valley.
Top technology leaders are already backing Harris with endorsements and donations. Notable supporters include Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Facebook; Reed Hastings, co-founder of Netflix; and philanthropist Melinda French Gates. This support marks a significant alignment of influential tech figures with Harris, contrasting with a smaller, yet vocal, group of tech leaders endorsing former President Donald Trump, such as Elon Musk.
The pro-Harris sentiment within the tech industry is driven by her policies and longstanding relationships with top executives. Aaron Levie, CEO of Box, noted that there has been a noticeable shift in Silicon Valley’s support towards Harris, a shift not seen with President Joe Biden. Levie emphasized Harris’ appreciation for the dynamics of the tech industry and its crucial role in the future economy.
Harris, a Bay Area native, began her political career in Oakland, California, just a short distance from the heart of the tech industry. Her connections within this sector are well-established. She has attended high-profile events such as the wedding of early Facebook executive Sean Parker and has appeared alongside influential figures like Laurene Powell Jobs, widow of Steve Jobs. During her 2020 presidential campaign, Harris received support from tech luminaries including Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and venture capitalist Ron Conway.
Despite her friendly relationships with tech leaders, Harris has not shied away from holding the industry accountable. As California’s attorney general, she took action against tech companies involved in online sexual harassment and revenge porn. Later, as a senator, she grilled Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on user privacy following the Cambridge Analytica scandal.
In her role as vice president, Harris has taken a proactive stance on artificial intelligence (AI) safety, recognizing its potential impact as the most significant new technology in decades. She has met with CEOs of major tech firms such as OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, and Anthropic to discuss AI safety measures and transparency between tech companies and the government.
Harris’ collaborative approach in addressing issues has earned her admiration within the tech industry. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld of Yale School of Management highlighted her method of bringing social activists, policy experts, and business leaders together to solve problems, a practice that resonates well with tech executives.
Harris’ record on technology contrasts sharply with Trump’s policies, which many tech leaders find unfavorable. The Biden administration, with Harris as vice president, has enacted pro-tech measures like the Chips Act, which allocates funding for U.S. production of critical computing components. In contrast, Trump’s anti-immigration stance and tariff plans could disrupt Silicon Valley and increase inflation, causing concern among tech leaders.
The tech industry, which values stability and clear trade policies, favors Harris’ approach over the unpredictability associated with Trump’s administration. Harris’ efforts to defend progressive causes such as climate change and reproductive rights further align her with the tech sector’s values.
Reid Hoffman, LinkedIn founder, emphasized that Harris is well-suited to counter Trump’s extremism, citing her background and leadership in growing the economy, fighting for bodily autonomy, and protecting democracy. This alignment of Harris’ principles with those of the tech industry reinforces her position as the preferred candidate among Silicon Valley’s leaders.
As Harris continues to garner support from Silicon Valley, her potential presidency represents a significant alliance between America’s political landscape and its most innovative industry. This union could shape the future of technology and its role in the broader economy, positioning Harris as a pivotal figure in the evolving relationship between tech and governance.
