Could Doug Emhoff become the first gentleman of the US? Meet Kamala Harris’ husband – the first Jewish person in a leading US political couple – and his wife just entered the presidential race

Jul 23 , 2024

US Vice-President Kamala Harris and her husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, pose at the White House in a photo released on Instagram for Easter in April. @secondgentleman/Instagram

As the 2024 US presidential election draws closer, President Joe Biden just dropped out and endorsed Vice-President Kamala Harris – who made history as the first Black veep

Her husband Doug Emhoff champions women’s rights and stepped back from his law career to support his wife; he also has kids Ella Emhoff and Cole Emhoff from his first marriage

As the 2024 US presidential election draws closer, it’s all hands on deck for both politicians and their spouses, each playing a critical role in ensuring voter support. One person in the spotlight? Douglas “Doug” Emhoff, husband to current Vice-President Kamala Harris. He may be used to being in the public eye, but that scrutiny only is going to intensify now that President Joe Biden has withdrawn from the race and Harris has officially thrown her hat in the ring for the presidency.

Before Biden’s recent surprise exit, Emhoff was already on the campaign trail on behalf of the current US president, attending rallies and meetings in Nebraska, Los Angeles and Georgia. He has also led interfaith round-tables, spoken about the role men should play in advocating for abortion rights, and held talks on gender equity gaps.

But Emhoff wasn’t always busy talking politics. Rewind to 2020, and his life was completely different: he was a practising lawyer with a special focus on entertainment and media. As his wife campaigned with Biden in the 2020 US elections, Emhoff said, “I’m just a guy. I’m not a politician,” per Marie Claire.

Back then, he went viral for blowing kisses at his wife while waiting for Biden to speak at his first address to a joint session of Congress, and openly spoke about the shock of having his life thrust into the spotlight, describing it as a “rocket ship” to Time magazine.

Now front and centre of the 2024 Democratic campaign for the White House, Emhoff should be more prepared and empowered for round two. Meet the man supporting his wife, the current vice-president – and potential future president – of the US.