Following the historic election of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, the first African-American and Asian-American woman to play another historic role for her husband, Doug Emhoff. When Harris was sworn in’ as vice president in January, he would be the country's first "second gentleman."
Emhoff
will be the first male spouse of any vice president or president, and he played
a key role in Biden's presidential campaign.
Here's what to look for and tactics to help ease the way.
Emhoff
is an entertainment lawyer
Emhoff,
56, has been a partner with entertainment lawyer and firm DLA Piper since 2017.
After Harris joined Biden's ticket, he took a leave of absence to focus on the campaign.
According
to the firm, he has handled matters related to production companies, a former
NFL athlete and a sports nutrition company.
The
case in which he is best known is his successful defense of an advertising
agency in a Taco Bell Chihuahua rights dispute that involved advertising for
"U Curio Taco Bell."
Born
in Brooklyn, New York, he moved with his family from New Jersey to Southern
California as a teenager. He graduated from California State University in Northridge
in 1987 and attended the USC Gold School of Law, where he earned a law degree
in 1990.
He
said during the "Biden for Lawyers" program that he would focus on
"access to justice" as an issue while he is another gentleman. He
recalled being shocked when a young lawyer was on his way to the Superior Court
of Los Angeles, through all the people who were in need of legal help.
How did he and Harris meet?
The
story of how Harris met her husband, a former attorney general and later a
senator from California begins with a blind date. He was a client of Emhoff
and a friend of Harris who founded them in 2013 when Harris was a high-ranking politician in his state.
Before
their date, Emhoff called and left a long voicemail that Harris replayed on his
birthday.
"We've
been together ever since," Emhoff said in a YouTube conversation with
former Democratic candidate Pete Buttigieg spouse, Chasten Buttigieg.
Harris
and Emhoff were married in 2014 in Santa Barbara, California, at Court House,
and celebrated their sixth birthday in the heat of the moment.
He
tweeted early last year, "We met, went crazy in love (still are), got
married and have been living happily ever after.
"I
love my husband. He's funny, he's gentle, he's patient, he loves my cooking.
He's a really nice guy." Harris said in an interview last year.
She
has two adult children
Emhoff
has two children with his first wife, Kirsten Emhoff, a film producer, Cole and
Ella. Both children are named’ after jazz legends John Coulter and Ella
Fitzgerald.
Cole,
26, and Ella, 21, call their stepmother "Momala."
Introducing
Harris at the Democratic National Convention, Ella said in a video, "For
me and my brother, you will always be the 'greatest stepmother in the
world.'" You are a rock, not just our father. For three generations of our
large, mixed family. "
She
told Marie Claire that Amp's first wife, Kirsten, had been a supporter of
Harris from the beginning, and even volunteered her skills when Harris was
running for the Democratic nomination.
"We're
friends," Harris said of his relationship with Kirsten Emhoff. "We
have a very modern family."
How
Emhoff participated in the election campaign
Emhoff and Jill Biden were prominent figures in the campaign
who traveled to key states. When the candidates themselves could not be
together in all the states on the battlefield, their spouses would step up to
their stumps.
The
day after Harris' acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention, Emhoff
made his first full public remarks at the convention's LGBTQ Cox Virtual
Meeting. Shortly afterward, Emhoff was headlining a fundraiser with James
Taylor and fundraisers and events continued at a steady pace.
Emhoff
also took part in events involving Jewish Americans to help Biden's campaign,
and he will be the first Jewish person to play the vice-presidential spouse.
From all staff/family call last night. I’m so proud of my wife @KamalaHarris even prouder of this entire @JoeBiden team. Let’s get this done! pic.twitter.com/XK4mUFnwM6
— Doug Emhoff (@DouglasEmhoff) November 3, 2020
Emhoff
has been on social media in support of his wife, from his presidential bid to
his and Biden's victory.
"As
usual, I've found you," he said in a viral tweet shortly after suspending
his initial campaign.
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