Skip to content

Kamala Harris discusses campaign struggles with Cosmo

Democratic presidential hopeful also talks women’s issues, climate change and skin care

California Sen. Kamala Harris is latest presidential contender to sit down with Cosmopolitan magazine. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)
California Sen. Kamala Harris is latest presidential contender to sit down with Cosmopolitan magazine. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

There’s still five women in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination and after three men beat them to it, one stopped by the headquarters of the magazine that bills itself the “biggest media brand in the world for young women” for an interview.

California Sen. Kamala Harris, in the latest entry for Cosmopolitan magazine’s “The Candidates Come to Cosmo” series, discussed tough decisions to pare her campaign staff, issues such as climate change, and even her skin care regimen.

“We had to make critical decisions about putting our resources into Iowa, which meant laying some folks — basically reconfiguring our resources,” Harris said when questioned about recent campaign layoffs. “We have to put our resources in Iowa and make some tough decisions.”

In the latest Monmouth poll, released Tuesday, just 3 percent of Democratic voters in Iowa— whose Feb. 3 caucuses are the first contest in the nominating fight — said they supported Harris.

The senator also discussed issues pertinent to young female voters such as reproductive rights and policies surrounding sexual assault, as well topics that could interest a broader array of young voters such as climate change and student loans.

Asked about her support of limits on student loan forgiveness, the Democrat said she doesn’t believe “Donald Trump’s kids should get loan forgiveness.” She added that “there should not be loan forgiveness for people who can afford to pay it.”

And it wouldn’t be a conversation with Cosmo if the topic of skin care wasn’t broached.

“Since I’ve been campaigning, I use the wipes, the Cetaphil wipes, to clean, but otherwise I use the skin cleanser,” Harris said. “And then I have just a regular moisturizer, and that’s it.” She also admitted to not understanding serums.

Prior to Harris, Cosmo — which boasts a readership of 81 million, according to editor-in-chief Jessica Pels — sat down with Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey, Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Indiana. Buttigieg revealed his skin care routine notably consists of “soap.”

Bridget Bowman contributed to this report.

Recent Stories

Trump to Senate: Cancel August recess

After insults at WHCD, Trump touts economic record in Michigan

Capitol Lens | Mall wonder

Out of sight, out of mind? Not this August

Trump-Thune tensions boil, but GOP leader seen as safe — for now

Maine Democrats pick Troy Jackson to replace Platner as Senate nominee