50 Facts About Doug Emhoff

Early Life and Background

Doug Emhoff's journey to becoming the first second gentleman of the United States is rooted in his early life and family background.

1. Birth and Early Life: Born on October 13, 1964, in Brooklyn, New York, Doug Emhoff was welcomed into a Jewish family by parents Michael and Barbara Emhoff (née Kanzer).

2. Family Background: His ancestors fled persecution in Gorlice, Poland, around 1899, seeking refuge in the United States.

3. Upbringing: Emhoff spent his formative years in Matawan and Old Bridge Township, New Jersey, from 1969 to 1981. He attended Cedar Ridge High School and was a member of Temple Shalom, a Reform synagogue in Aberdeen Township.

4. Bar Mitzvah: In 1977, Emhoff celebrated his bar mitzvah at Temple Shalom, marking a significant milestone in his Jewish faith.

5. Summer Camp Experience: During the summer of 1978, Emhoff attended Camp Cedar Lake in Milford, Pennsylvania, where he was voted "most athletic".

Education and Career

Doug Emhoff's academic and professional journey laid the foundation for his future roles.

6. Education: Emhoff pursued his law degree at the University of Southern California’s Gould School of Law, graduating in 1990.

7. Career in Law: After law school, Emhoff became an entertainment lawyer, eventually becoming the managing director of Venable's West Coast offices and later a partner at DLA Piper.

8. Law Firm Experience: At DLA Piper, Emhoff represented large corporations and high-profile individuals in complex business, real estate, and intellectual property litigation disputes.

9. Notable Cases: One of his notable cases involved litigating the use of Taco Bell’s “Yo Quiero Taco Bell” chihuahua.

10. Teaching Career: After becoming the second gentleman, Emhoff transitioned into teaching, joining the faculty at Georgetown University Law Center as a distinguished visitor from practice.

11. Academic Role: Emhoff also served as a distinguished fellow at Georgetown Law’s Institute for Technology Law & Policy.

Personal Life and Marriage

Doug Emhoff's personal life, including his marriage to Kamala Harris, has been a significant part of his public persona.

12. Personal Life: Emhoff has two children, Cole and Ella, from his previous marriage to Kerstin. Cole was named after jazz saxophonist John Coltrane, and Ella after Ella Fitzgerald.

13. Stepmother Role: Kamala Harris affectionately took on the role of stepmother to Emhoff’s children, whom she calls "Momala".

14. Marriage to Kamala Harris: Emhoff and Harris met on a blind date in 2013, set up by PR consultant Chrisette Hudlin. They married on August 22, 2014, in a ceremony honoring both his Jewish faith and her Indian heritage.

15. First Date Story: Emhoff has shared the story of their first date, where he called Harris at 8:30 A.M. and left a voicemail that the couple listens to each year on their anniversary.

Supportive Husband and Campaign Enthusiast

Doug Emhoff has been a steadfast supporter of Kamala Harris throughout her political career.

16. Supportive Husband: Emhoff has been a constant supporter of Harris throughout her political career, including her Senate campaign in 2016 and her primary bid for the presidency in 2019.

17. Campaign Trail Enthusiasm: Emhoff’s enthusiasm for Harris’s campaign was evident as he took selfies in front of her TV appearances and sported her campaign swag.

18. VP Nomination Reaction: When Biden announced Harris as his VP pick, Emhoff was ecstatic and tweeted, “America, let’s do this!” with a photo of Biden and Harris smiling at each other.

19. Exchange with Jill Biden: Emhoff shared a warm exchange with future First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, writing, “Ready to work Let’s go @DrBiden!”.

20. VP Debate Support: Before Harris debated Vice President Mike Pence in October 2020, Emhoff posted a sweet pic of himself with his spouse, writing, “I’ve got you, and you’ve got this. So proud of you. Love, Dougie".

21. Campaign Rally Appearances: In 2020, Emhoff often took to Instagram to share snaps from Biden–Harris campaign stops across the country. He also spoke at campaign rallies himself.

22. Current Campaign Support: This year, Emhoff has proudly stood by and fought for his wife as she and Biden again face off against Trump. He wrote on X, “For the past three years, I’ve seen @POTUS and @VP fight for the American people – and they’re not done yet,” alongside a photo of Biden and Harris.

Social Media Presence and Public Image

Doug Emhoff has embraced social media to connect with the public and share his journey.

23. Social Media Presence: Emhoff set the precedent as the first second gentleman of the United States with a big gesture by launching his second-gentleman Twitter account (@SecondGentleman) shortly after the 2020 election.

24. Twitter Bio: As of July 2024, his Twitter bio reads: “Second Gentleman of the United States. Devoted dad. Proud husband to @VP Kamala Harris.”.

25. Public Relationship: Emhoff and Harris have an amicable public relationship, often sharing personal and relatable moments. For example, he recounted how he was 2,000 miles away in Los Angeles, attending a cycling class with friends when he learned about Harris’s nomination for president.

26. Personal Anecdote: Emhoff described how he dashed to his car to retrieve his phone, which was “on fire,” and managed to call Harris back. She answered with, “Where the … were you? I need you,” which he has shared multiple times on the campaign trail.

Advocacy and Public Engagement

Doug Emhoff has used his platform to advocate for various causes, including fighting antisemitism and supporting reproductive rights.

27. First Jewish Spouse: Emhoff is the first Jewish spouse of an American president or vice president, making him a significant figure in Jewish outreach for the Harris campaign.

28. Antisemitism Advocacy: Emhoff has spoken out against antisemitism, working with President Biden on the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism in 2023. He stated, “This hate, this antisemitism, is a poison. As your first first gentleman, I promise you, as the first Jewish person ever to be a White House principal, I am going to continue this fight against antisemitism".

29. Holocaust Remembrance Day: Emhoff visited Auschwitz-Birkenau camp and commemorated Holocaust Remembrance Day, highlighting the global rise of hate and the need to combat it.

30. Campaign Travel: Since Harris became the party's presidential nominee, Emhoff has been traveling frequently to support his wife and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. He even led a U.S. delegation to the Paris Olympics closing ceremonies, stepping in for First Lady Jill Biden.

31. Public Scrutiny: Emhoff has faced renewed scrutiny as his wife has come under increased examination in her campaign. Recently, reports surfaced about an extramarital affair he had during his first marriage. In a statement, he acknowledged the challenges he faced, saying, “During my first marriage, Kerstin and I faced some challenging times due to my actions. I accepted responsibility, and over the years, we have worked through our issues as a family and emerged stronger".

32. Harris’s Awareness: Harris was aware of Emhoff's previous affair before they married, and the vetting team had also been informed.

33. Support for Reproductive Rights: Emhoff has championed reproductive rights and addressed abortion access restrictions since the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

34. Public Appearances: Emhoff has made numerous public appearances, including visits to Planned Parenthood facilities to advocate for reproductive rights.

35. Feminist Husband: Emhoff frames his support for his wife as not merely an expression of love but also as a demonstration of what a feminist husband can embody. He stated in a 2022 interview, “Empowering women so they can take on significant roles is a truly manly act. That does not diminish opportunities for men".

Cultural Impact and Public Image

Doug Emhoff's influence extends beyond politics, making him a cultural icon and a relatable public figure.

36. Cultural Impact: Emhoff has become a cultural icon, often referred to as a "zaddy" and a "hot Jewish dad." He has a loyal following, which Vanity Fair whimsically named the D-Unit.

37. Democratic National Convention: Emhoff is anticipated to address the Democratic National Convention and introduce Harris, marking a significant moment in his public career.

38. First Gentleman Potential: If Harris wins the 2024 presidential election, Emhoff will become the first First Gentleman of the United States, further redefining the role of the first spouse.

39. Historic Moment: Emhoff’s potential role as First Gentleman would be historic, as it would signify a new era where a first spouse isn’t necessarily a wife and where young men can look to the White House as a model not just for leadership but also for supportive partnership.

40. Family Ties: Emhoff’s children, Cole and Ella, have attracted public interest themselves. He has their initials tattooed on his left wrist, explaining that he wanted a constant reminder of what truly matters to him.

41. Public Image: Emhoff’s public image is one of a devoted husband and father. He often posts about his wife on social media, showcasing his pride and love for her.

42. Personal Growth: Emhoff has demonstrated personal growth by acknowledging his past mistakes and working through them with his family. He stated, “During my first marriage, Kerstin and I faced some challenging times due to my actions. I accepted responsibility, and over the years, we have worked through our issues as a family and emerged stronger".

43. Supportive Role: Emhoff’s role as second gentleman has been less demanding than that of a leading surrogate in his wife’s campaign or what he might face if she wins. However, he has taken on his role with seriousness, visiting the Library of Congress to gain insights about past second spouses.

44. Public Engagement: Emhoff has engaged in conversations about the significance of men supporting the women in their lives. He has made appearances at Planned Parenthood facilities to advocate for reproductive rights.

45. Feminist Advocacy: Emhoff’s advocacy for feminism is rooted in his belief that empowering women is a manly act. He has spoken about how his support for his wife is not just about love but also about demonstrating what a feminist husband can embody.

46. Cultural Influence: Emhoff’s influence extends beyond politics. He has become a cultural icon, with fans purchasing mugs emblazoned with his image and referring to him as a "hot Jewish dad".

47. Media Coverage: Emhoff has been featured in various media outlets, including The Hollywood Reporter, Elle, and BBC. These profiles highlight his career, personal life, and public role.

48. Public Speeches: Emhoff has given several public speeches, including one at the Democratic National Convention where he recounted their first date story and expressed his love for Harris.

49. Social Media Engagement: Emhoff is active on social media, using platforms like Twitter and Instagram to share updates about his wife’s campaign and personal life.

50. Campaign Trail Moments: Emhoff has shared several personal and relatable moments from the campaign trail, such as the time he was 2,000 miles away when he learned about Harris’s nomination for president.

Doug Emhoff: A New Kind of Second Gentleman

Doug Emhoff has redefined what it means to be a political spouse. From his roots in Brooklyn to his role as the first second gentleman, he's shown unwavering support for Vice President Kamala Harris while championing causes like reproductive rights and fighting antisemitism. His journey from an entertainment lawyer to a Georgetown Law professor and public advocate highlights his adaptability and commitment to public service. Emhoff's personal growth, transparency about past mistakes, and dedication to his family make him a relatable and influential figure. As he continues to support Harris in her political endeavors, Emhoff sets a new standard for men in supportive roles, proving that empowering women is a powerful act. His potential future as the first First Gentleman could further break barriers and inspire a new generation of supportive partners.