Senator Kamala Harris – Former San Francisco Mayor Confirms Past Relationship: We Dated, I Influenced Her Career

Senator Kamala Harris – Former San Francisco Mayor Confirms Past Relationship: We Dated, I Influenced Her Career

California Senator Kamala Harris is already starting off 2019 on a major note with the announcement that she plans to run for presidential office in 2020. Interestingly enough, a former fling appears to be taking credit for her success—none other than former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown.

In a revelation that came out of nowhere and surprised many, former mayor Willie Brown revealed recently that he and Kamala Harris dated in the past. Sure, that’s no big deal on the surface, but it’s his claim that he influenced her career and their relationship was during his marriage, that has many clutching their pearls. “Yes, we dated. It was more than 20 years ago,” Brown admitted in a letter to the San Francisco Chronicle, where he also acknowledged giving Harris appointments that helped to further her career.

Reportedly, Brown was married when he dated Harris because he had been “estranged from his wife” Blanche Brown since 1981 and as a result, the relationship between he and Harris was not a secret. A reporter for Sacramento Bee previously stated that Brown “had a succession of girlfriends” and would

“go to a party with his wife on one arm and his girlfriend on the other.”

There were also various other reports in the mid-90’s that detailed the relationship between Harris and Brown, here she was referred to as his “frequent companion” and “girlfriend.” At the time they met, Harris was 29 and Brown was 60. The couple reportedly called it quits in 1995, but Brown still supported Harris in her successful 2003 run for San Francisco district attorney, however she tried to distance herself from him during the time, stating that Brown, whose career was peppered with allegations of corruption, was an

“albatross hanging around my neck.”

She continued her dismissal of Brown, further saying:

“His career is over; I will be alive and kicking for the next 40 years. I do not owe him a thing. If there is corruption, it will be prosecuted.” 

In his recent letter to the San Francisco Chronicle, Brown detailed just how much he aided Harris in her career:

“Yes, I may have influenced her career by appointing her to two state commissions when I was Assembly speaker. And I certainly helped with her first race for district attorney in San Francisco. I have also helped the careers of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Gov. Gavin Newsom, Sen. Dianne Feinstein and a host of other politicians.”

Brown delivered a final blow to Harris when he appeared to attack her character, implying that he may have been used for a come-up:

“The difference is that Harris is the only one who, after I helped her, sent word that I would be indicted if I ‘so much as jaywalked’ while she was D.A. That’s politics for ya.” 

After such a positive and enthusiastic response to Harris’ announcement that she’s running for president, this relationship resurfacing is likely the last thing she needs. At press time, Harris has not responded to Brown’s recent comments.

What do think of Willie Brown’s comments about Kamala Harris? Do you think this will hurt her presidential chances? Let us know in the comments!