Who is Doug Emhoff?

Doug Emhoff is proud to serve as the First Second Gentleman for Vice President Kamala Harris, supporting her campaign throughout the 2020 presidential race and post pictures from their adventures on Instagram and supporting her during VP debates.

He travels extensively, speaking to individuals of various backgrounds – from rural business owners and students on college campuses to advocates in communities of color.

He is a Lawyer

Doug Emhoff is passionate about social justice and equality. For 30 years he has dedicated himself to breaking down barriers and providing access to justice for all. Additionally he has championed efforts against antisemitism as well as gender equality promotion and fighting racism.

Doug Emhoff has been an integral component of his wife’s presidential bid and even wrote an essay for Elle magazine about her in 2021. Additionally, he has stood up against any sexist attacks directed against his wife such as Joseph Esptein’s Wall Street Journal article and has repeatedly advocated for women’s rights.

Since Harris won her election, he has taken a significant step back from practicing law at DLA Piper to focus on her administration duties and advocate for COVID-19 vaccine campaign through visits to churches, community health centers, schools and stadiums promoting awareness about this virus.

Doug Emhoff has also visited local businesses and restaurants to show support for workers affected by the pandemic. In January, he started teaching law courses at Georgetown University – fulfilling his passion of mentoring while helping students realize their dreams.

He is a Father

Doug Emhoff isn’t shy about admitting his parenting abilities publicly, making him popular among Harris’ supporters in her “DougHive”. A Men’s Health article even featured him and detailed his disciplined workout regimen (he also features as one of Harris’ role models).

Before marrying Kamala Harris in 2013, Emhoff was an established Los Angeles entertainment lawyer, with two children named Cole and Ella. Raised as a Jew and celebrating his bar mitzvah at Temple Shalom in Aberdeen Township, New Jersey; however his first marriage – to Kerstin – wasn’t Jewish and ended in 2009.

Since their marriage four years ago, Doug and Kamala have become active political participants. He’s served as an active surrogate for Harris’ campaign by posting pictures and videos from Harris events to social media as well as speaking at them himself. Furthermore, Doug serves as her liaison between Jewish groups, donors, and the rest of society – thus building her profile considerably.

Doug Emhoff’s also not shy about using his platform to speak out against antisemitism, visiting Auschwitz and his grandparents’ Polish village in 2023 and serving as an advocate of the White House’s plan against hate that was announced this year. Additionally, he supports more female-led businesses.

He is a Champion for Gender Equality

Doug Emhoff is an advocate for gender equality. As the first female vice president in history, his wife made history – and Doug Emhoff proudly stands beside her! Doug took time off his entertainment law firm to dedicate himself to supporting his wife during her new position – attending events such as her inauguration. On social media he posted photos showing him cheering her on and standing by her during debates for 2020 VP candidates.

His support has also extended to the wider LGBTQ community, and he was the first man in this role to attend San Francisco Pride parade and share a selfie with Harris. Additionally, he attended LGBTQ-themed fundraisers as well as assisted Harris’ administration with expanding access to health care and legal aid for LGBT individuals.

He has made it a point to visit vaccination clinics in churches, schools, community centers, and stadiums to encourage families to get themselves vaccinated against pandemic. He prioritizes helping all backgrounds access necessary care; shifting long-held cultural norms; as well as increasing female leadership roles while advocating for diversity and inclusion within workplace.

He is a Vaccine Advocate

Doug Emhoff temporarily abandoned his career in entertainment law to join Harris on her campaign trail for Senator. He was thrilled when she won, and has made use of his historic position as first second gentleman by visiting COVID-19 vaccination centers, food banks, and community health centers across the United States while advocating for President Obama’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package and encouraging Americans to get themselves vaccinated.

Doug Emhoff provided comfort to a woman at a vaccine clinic in St Louis earlier this month who was anxious about receiving her Moderna vaccine injection. “These shots work,” he assured her and assured that the injection is painless; “I did it twice” was his smiled response.

The First Second Gentleman visited a COVID-19 clinic in Blair, Nebraska and met with local community members. Scott Frederickson of First Lutheran Church applauded his engagement with them by noting how “He took time to talk with those providing vaccinations as well as learn more about their community”.

He’s actively advocating for the administration’s domestic policy initiatives as well, including efforts to combat sexual assault and expand federal support for legal aid services. Furthermore, he’s spoken up for indigenous rights – something Harris and Haaland prioritize in their Interior Secretary work.