Doug Emhoff
Douglas Craig Emhoff (born October 13, 1964) is an American lawyer who was the second gentleman of the United States from 2021 to 2025 as the husband of Kamala Harris, the 49th U.S. vice president.[1] As the first husband of a vice president, Emhoff is the first second gentleman in U.S. history. He is also the first Jewish spouse of an U.S. vice president.[2]
Doug Emhoff | |||||||||
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![]() Official portrait, 2022 | |||||||||
Second Gentleman of the United States | |||||||||
In role January 20, 2021 – January 20, 2025 | |||||||||
Vice President | Kamala Harris | ||||||||
Preceded by | Karen Pence (as Second Lady) | ||||||||
Succeeded by | Usha Vance (as Second Lady) | ||||||||
Personal details | |||||||||
Born | Douglas Craig Emhoff October 13, 1964 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. | ||||||||
Political party | Democratic | ||||||||
Spouse(s) |
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Children | 2, including Ella | ||||||||
Education | California State University, Northridge (BA) University of Southern California (JD) | ||||||||
Signature | ![]() | ||||||||
Website | Official website | ||||||||
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Biography
Early life
Douglas Craig Emhoff[3] was born on October 13, 1964, in New York City to Jewish parents.[4] From 1969 to 1981, he grew up in Matawan and Old Bridge Township, New Jersey.[5]
When he was 17, he moved with his family to Southern California.[6] He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication studies from California State University, Northridge, in 1987 and a Juris Doctor from the USC Gould School of Law in 1990.[7]
Legal career
Emhoff is an entertainment lawyer.[8] He opened his own firm with Ben Whitwell in 2000 in California.[8] His clients included Walmart and Merck,[9] and he became managing director of Venable's West Coast offices.[10]
2020 United States presidential election
Emhoff joined DLA Piper as a partner in 2017, working at its Washington, D.C., and California offices.[11][12] Following the announcement that his wife would be Joe Biden's running mate in the 2020 United States presidential election, Emhoff took a leave of absence from the firm.[12] After the Biden–Harris ticket won, the campaign announced Emhoff would leave DLA Piper before inauguration day.[13]
In August 2020, Kamala Harris was announced as Biden's running mate in the presidential election, making Emhoff the third man in U.S. history to be a spouse of the vice presidential candidate of a major party.[14]
Second gentleman of the United States (2021–2025)
Emhoff became the second gentleman of the United States when his wife was sworn-in as the 49th U.S. vice president on January 20, 2021. He became the first second gentleman of the United States in U.S. history.[15] He is also the first Jewish spouse of a U.S. vice president.[7][16][17]
In his role as second gentleman, Emhoff said he wanted to focus on equal access to justice and legal representation.[18] In March 2021, while second gentleman, Emhoff began teaching at Georgetown University Law Center.[19] During his time as second gentlemen, he also helped the Joe Biden administration in fighting against antisemitism.[20][21] Emhoff was part of the White House team that launched the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, the country's first combatting antisemitism strategy, on May 25, 2023.[22]
Post-vice presidency (2025–present)
After his wife's vice presidency ended on January 20, 2025, they moved back to Los Angeles,[23] where they helped distribute food to victims of the Palisades Fire.[24] Emhoff announced he would return to his law job at Willkie Farr & Gallagher to become a partner at the corporate law firm , splitting his time between Los Angeles and New York. He will advise companies on crises including litigation and corporate investigations.[25][26][27][28]
Personal life
Emhoff was married to movie producer Kerstin Mackin from 1992 to 2008.[29] They have two children together, Cole and Ella.[30][31] While Emhoff and Mackin continue to be friends after their divorce, Emhoff has said that he had an extramarital affair with one of his children's teachers.[32][33]
In 2013, Emhoff was set up on a blind date with then-attorney general of California, Kamala Harris.[34][35] They became engaged in March 2014, and were married on August 22, 2014.[36] As of August 2019, Emhoff and Harris had a net worth of $5.8 million.[37]
Emhoff and Harris have homes in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.[38]
Doug Emhoff Media
Emhoff (second from left) participates in an interfaith roundtable at the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Berlin, January 31, 2023.
References
- ↑ "Douglas Emhoff: Second Gentleman". The White House. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
- ↑ "Douglas C. Emhoff | Professionals | Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP". www.willkie.com. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
- ↑ "Attorney Licensee Profile: Douglas Craig Emhoff". The State Bar of California. Archived from the original on April 18, 2019. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
- ↑ Rosenberg, Amy S. (November 20, 2020). "Second gentleman, first Jew, Jersey-raised: Doug Emhoff is making history". Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on November 20, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
- ↑ "Kamala Harris's husband has roots in Matawan, Old Bridge". centraljersey.com. November 12, 2020. Archived from the original on November 22, 2020. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
- ↑ Davis, Mike (August 12, 2020). Kamala Harris's husband, Douglas Emhoff, has 'NJ in his veins'. https://www.app.com/story/news/politics/2020/08/12/kamala-harris-joe-biden-douglas-emhoff-vice-president/3356770001/. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Kisken, Tom (August 26, 2020). "Agoura High alumnus could become nation's first 'second gentleman'". Ventura County Star. https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/2020/08/26/who-is-kamala-harris-husband-doug-emhoff-married-agoura-high-school/3415297001/. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "ICYMI: Los Angeles Lawyer Magazine: A Conversation with the Second Gentleman of the United States". UCSB. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
- ↑ Saul, Stephanie (August 17, 2020). "Doug Emhoff, Kamala Harris's husband, takes a leave of absence from his law firm." (in en-US). The New York Times. . https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/17/us/elections/doug-emhoff-kamala-harriss-husband-takes-a-leave-of-absence-from-his-law-firm.html. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
- ↑ Greene, Jenna (August 13, 2020). "Westlaw Today Signon". Westlaw Today. Archived from the original on July 18, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
- ↑ Summers, Juana (June 8, 2019). "Harris's husband takes on growing public role in 2020 race". Associated Press. https://apnews.com/1b5e33b807fe48fb9d7e7bcc79547af7. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Bonos, Lisa (August 19, 2020) (in en). The story of Kamala and Doug, a match made in Hollywood (literally). https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/relationships/doug-emhoff-kamala-harris-husband/2020/08/18/a6c64db6-e15c-11ea-8181-606e603bb1c4_story.html. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
- ↑ "The Latest: Biden speaks to leaders of European allies". Associated Press. November 10, 2020. Archived from the original on November 10, 2020. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
- ↑ Emmrich, Stuart (August 13, 2020). "The 9 Things We Know About Kamala Harris's Husband". Vogue. https://www.vogue.com/article/nine-things-we-know-about-kamala-harris-husband-douglas-emhoff. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
- ↑ Edelman, Adam (August 13, 2020). The first 'second gentleman'? Meet Kamala Harris's husband, Doug Emhoff. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/first-second-gentleman-meet-kamala-harris-husband-doug-emhoff-n1236554. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
- ↑ (in en-gb) Douglas Emhoff: Kamala Harris's husband and potential 'second gentleman'. BBC News. August 13, 2020. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53758915. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
- ↑ Schor, Elana (August 12, 2020) (in en). Harris brings Baptist, interfaith roots to Democratic ticket. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/harris-brings-baptist-interfaith-roots-to-democratic-ticket/2020/08/12/2d319e6a-dc57-11ea-b4f1-25b762cdbbf4_story.html. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
- ↑ Deliso, Meredith (November 7, 2020). "Doug Emhoff set to become 1st second gentleman" (in en). Good Morning America. https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/news/story/vice-president-elect-kamala-harris-husband-doug-emhoff-74076409. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
- ↑ Chamlee, Virginia (March 9, 2021). "Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff on What He's Learned from His Classroom Day Job". People. Archived from the original on March 11, 2021. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
- ↑ Scott, Eugene (December 5, 2022). Second gentleman Doug Emhoff to host roundtable focused on antisemitism. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/12/05/emhoff-antisemitism-ye-musk-white-nationalist/. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
- ↑ Ordoñez, Franco (December 7, 2022). "Second gentleman Emhoff says antisemitism has become an epidemic". NPR. Archived from the original on December 8, 2022. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
- ↑ Launch of U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, May 25, 2023, archived from the original on July 24, 2023, retrieved 2023-07-24
- ↑ "Harris and Emhoff headed back to California after inauguration; source says they're looking at NYC apartments". CBS News. 2025-01-19. Archived from the original on January 23, 2025. Retrieved 2025-01-23.
- ↑ Cadelago, Christopher (January 20, 2025). "Harris heading home to Los Angeles to help fire victims". Politico. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
- ↑ Hirsch, Lauren (2025-01-27). "Doug Emhoff to Return to Corporate Law" (in en-US). The New York Times. . https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/27/business/dealbook/doug-emhoff-kamala-harris-corporate-law.html. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
- ↑ Friedman, Amanda (2025-01-27). "One week out of Washington, Doug Emhoff returns to legal career". POLITICO. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
- ↑ Goldsmith, Jill (2025-01-27). "Former Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff Resumes Legal Career". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
- ↑ "Willkie | Willkie Welcomes Douglas C. Emhoff as Partner". www.willkie.com. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
- ↑ Goldstein, Jessica M. (October 5, 2020). "Doug Emhoff Is the Good Husband". Marie Claire. https://www.marieclaire.com/politics/a34099869/doug-emhoff-interview-2020/. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
- ↑ Harris, Kamala (May 10, 2019). "Sen. Kamala Harris on Being 'Momala'". Elle. https://www.elle.com/culture/career-politics/a27422434/kamala-harris-stepmom-mothers-day/. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
- ↑ Friedman, Gabe (August 11, 2020) (in en-US). Kamala Harris is Joe Biden's VP pick – here's what Jewish voters should know. Jewish Telegraphic Agency. https://www.jta.org/2020/08/11/politics/kamala-harris-is-joe-bidens-vp-pick-heres-what-jewish-voters-should-know. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
- ↑ Dovere, Edward-Isaac (August 3, 2024). "Emhoff acknowledges affair during first marriage after tabloid report". CNN. Archived from the original on August 3, 2024. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
- ↑ Bensinger, Ken; Rutenberg, Jim (August 3, 2024). "Doug Emhoff, Husband of Kamala Harris, Acknowledges Long-Ago Affair" (in en-US). The New York Times. . https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/03/us/politics/doug-emhoff-affair.html. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
- ↑ Wurzburger, Andrea (November 15, 2023). "From a Blind Date to the White House: A Look at Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff's Loving Relationship". People. Archived from the original on August 5, 2024. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
- ↑ Wright, Jasmine; Stracqualursi, Veronica (January 15, 2021). "Harris and Emhoff recall first date: 'It felt like we had known each other forever'". CNN. Archived from the original on January 17, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
- ↑ Siders, David (August 25, 2014). "Kamala Harris married in Santa Barbara ceremony". The Sacramento Bee. https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article2607685.html. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
- ↑ "The Net Worth Of Every 2020 Presidential Candidate". Forbes. August 14, 2019. https://www.forbes.com/sites/danalexander/2019/08/14/heres-the-net-worth-of-every-2020-presidential-candidate/. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
- ↑ Bose, Debanjali (October 12, 2020). "Take a Look inside Kamala Harris's multimillion-dollar real estate portfolio, which includes property in California and Washington, DC". Business Insider. Retrieved January 18, 2021.