The US economy Kamala Harris inherits and how she may run on it

Kamala Harris will have President Joe Biden’s mostly strong economy to run on. Still, one of her biggest challenges is lifting the negative feelings many Americans have about the economy, stemming from sharply higher prices for everything from groceries to rent over the past four years.

President Joe Biden arrived at the White House in 2021 at a time of heightened chaos and uncertainty across a country reeling from the pandemic. Biden used his inauguration address to promote unity, in hopes of delivering a nation that’s “stronger, more prosperous, more ready for the future.” But, as Biden has acknowledged throughout his time in office, there’s more work to be done. That task could now fall to Vice President Kamala Harris, who inherits Biden’s campaign promises to rebuild the middle class, invest in infrastructure, boost domestic manufacturing and lower health care costs. Since Harris kicked off her presidential campaign, there’s been a string of good news for the US economy. Strong GDP numbers on Thursday — and the possibility that the US is pulling off the rare feat of bringing down inflation without throwing the economy into reverse — give Harris another point to bring out on the campaign trail in her effort to persuade Americans to give her the White House in November. And on Friday, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge fell closer to the central bank’s 2% target — all but cementing a rate cut in September. Harris will have Biden’s mostly strong economy to run on. Still, one of her biggest challenges is lifting the negative feelings many Americans have about the economy, stemming from sharply higher prices for everything from groceries to rent over the past four years. It remains to be seen whether those perceptions will improve now that Biden is out of the race. Here’s where the economy stands as the presidential race heads into its final 100 days.