In the bustling political hub of Washington, D.C., just less than a mile from the White House, lives Donald J. Harris, the father of presidential candidate and current VP Kamala Harris, and he remains a distant figure in her high-profile journey.

Despite living close to the seat of political power, Donald J. Harris -- who once described his offspring's remarks as "a travesty" -- and his daughter have not publicly interacted during her vice presidency, with their personal rift sparking discussion as her public life takes a new and prominent turn, as the Daily Mail reports.

Kamala Harris, who is currently campaigning for the presidency, has seldom spoken publicly about her father, Donald J. Harris, a retired economics professor known for his Marxist views.

Their relationship has been marked by distance and a lack of public engagements, a stark contrast to the geographical closeness in the nation’s capital.

Early Life and Family Dynamics

Kamala Harris was born to Donald Harris and Shyamala Gopalan, who divorced when Kamala was just seven years old. This early family separation laid the groundwork for what would become a complicated relationship between father and daughter.

Despite the split, Donald expressed his continued commitment to his children, emphasizing his enduring love and responsibilities as a father.

Throughout her childhood and into her adult life, Kamala Harris’s relationship with her father remained strained. In her public appearances and speeches, she often highlights the influence of her mother, who primarily raised her, while only occasionally mentioning her father.

Their relationship took a public spotlight during the Democratic National Convention, where Kamala Harris briefly acknowledged her father but focused predominantly on her mother's role in her upbringing.

Notably, Donald Harris was not present at the convention, underscoring the ongoing distance between them.

Controversies and Criticisms

The political and academic stance of Donald J. Harris has at times sparked controversy, particularly his Marxist views, which could be perceived as problematic against the backdrop of his daughter’s presidential campaign.

His involvement in offering economic advice to the Jamaican government has also been viewed with scrutiny.

Donald Harris has not shied away from criticizing the political environment that surrounds his daughter, once referring to it as a "political hullabaloo."

His most public disapproval came after Kamala made remarks about marijuana, which he felt misrepresented their family's values. This led him to publicly dissociate himself and their Jamaican family from the comments, emphasizing the deep divide in their personal and public perceptions.

The absence of Donald J. Harris in the public visitor logs at the White House during Kamala’s vice presidency, and the lack of recent photographs of them together, further illustrates the distance between them. Some private meetings may have occurred at the United States Naval Observatory, which does not maintain public visitor records, but this remains unconfirmed.

Personal Reflections and Public Statements

Despite the complexities of their relationship, Kamala Harris has occasionally spoken about her father. In various statements, she has described their relationship as being on "good terms" but also "not close," revealing the nuanced and perhaps tentative connections that linger between them.

Donald J. Harris, on his part, continues to express love for his children.

He has publicly stated, "Nevertheless, I persisted, never giving up on my love for my children or reneging on my responsibilities as their father." This sentiment, although poignant, has not translated into frequent public interactions or reconciliations.

In her own reflections, Kamala Harris has acknowledged the influence of her father on her life, albeit in a limited capacity compared to her mother.

She noted, "It was mostly my mother who raised us," underscoring the dominant influence her mother had during her formative years and in her subsequent political career.