Kamala Harris’ rise through California politics was remarkable, advancing her from San Francisco district attorney to California attorney general to U.S. senator. During much of this time, she won praise as a groundbreaking politician with seemingly limitless potential.

But there was a warning note in 2016.

The Los Angeles Times editorial board offered an admiring endorsement of her Senate bid, calling Harris thoughtful, pragmatic, trailblazing and a “persuasive advocate for California.” But the board also faulted her for what it said was a troubling trait:

Harris has at times seemed more focused on her political career than on the job she was elected to do — and therefore too cautious and unwilling to stake out positions on some controversial issues, even when her voice would have been valuable to the debate.