Doug Emhoff facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Doug Emhoff
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Official portrait, 2022
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| Second Gentleman of the United States | |
| In role January 20, 2021 – January 20, 2025 |
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| 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 |
| Spouses |
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| Children | 2, including Ella |
| Education | California State University, Northridge (BA) University of Southern California (JD) |
| Signature |  |
Douglas Craig Emhoff (born October 13, 1964) is an American lawyer. He served as the first-ever Second Gentleman of the United States from 2021 to 2025. He is married to Kamala Harris, who is the 49th vice president of the United States.
Emhoff was also the first Jewish spouse of a U.S. vice president. Before his wife became Vice President, he worked as an entertainment lawyer. He also teaches at Georgetown University Law Center.
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Early Life and Education
Douglas Craig Emhoff was born on October 13, 1964, in Brooklyn, New York. His parents, Barbara and Michael Emhoff, were Jewish. He has one brother and one sister.
From 1969 to 1981, he grew up in Matawan and Old Bridge Township, New Jersey. He went to Cedar Ridge High School. His family belonged to a Jewish temple called Temple Shalom. Emhoff had his bar mitzvah there in 1977.
When he was 17, his family moved to Southern California. He finished high school at Agoura High School. He then studied Communication studies at California State University, Northridge. In 1990, he earned a law degree from the USC Gould School of Law.
Career as a Lawyer
Emhoff became a lawyer in 1990. He focused on cases related to media, entertainment, and intellectual property. This means he worked with things like movies, music, and inventions.
He started his own law firm with Ben Whitwell in 2000. Later, a bigger firm called Venable LLP bought their firm in 2006. Emhoff became a managing director there. He worked for big companies like Walmart and Merck. He also represented Taco Bell's advertising company in a case about their famous chihuahua dog.
In 2017, Emhoff joined another law firm called DLA Piper. He worked in their offices in Washington, D.C., and California. When his wife, Kamala Harris, was chosen to be Joe Biden's running mate in 2020, Emhoff took a break from his job. After the election, he left the firm completely. This was to avoid any conflict of interest, meaning he wouldn't have business dealings that could seem unfair because of his wife's new role.
In December 2020, Georgetown University Law Center announced that Emhoff would join their staff. He became a visiting professor there.
Second Gentleman of the United States (2021–2025)
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In August 2020, Kamala Harris was chosen as Joe Biden's running mate for president. This meant that if they won, Emhoff would become the "Second Gentleman." He was the first man in U.S. history to be the spouse of a vice presidential candidate from a major party.
When Harris became Vice President, Emhoff officially became the first second gentleman of the United States. He was also the first Jewish spouse of a U.S. vice president. People sometimes called him a "wife guy." This is a slang term for a man who is very supportive of his wife, especially if her fame is greater than his. Emhoff even used this term to describe himself on social media.
As Second Gentleman, Emhoff planned to focus on making sure everyone has fair access to justice and legal help.
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In March 2021, Emhoff started teaching a law course at the Georgetown University Law Center. He said he learned that "teaching is really hard" and had great respect for teachers.
Emhoff has also traveled to other countries as part of U.S. delegations. He represented the U.S. at events like the opening ceremony of the 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo. He also attended the inaugurations (when new leaders take office) of presidents in South Korea and the Philippines. In 2024, he was part of the American group at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
In June 2023, Emhoff met with a group of lawmakers called the Congressional Dads Caucus. They talked about programs that help families. They discussed the importance of family leave and policies that support co-parenting. They also talked about expanding the Child Tax Credit and making childcare more affordable.
Combating Antisemitism
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As the first Jewish spouse of a president or vice president, Emhoff has become an important voice in the fight against antisemitism. Antisemitism is hatred or discrimination against Jewish people.
On International Holocaust Remembrance Day in January 2023, Emhoff visited the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland. He went with people who had survived the Holocaust. His visit was to remember the victims and honor those who survived. At Auschwitz, he placed a wreath at the "Wall of Death," where many prisoners were killed. He also took part in a memorial service.
Emhoff was part of the White House team that created the first-ever U.S. plan to fight antisemitism. This plan, called the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, was launched on May 25, 2023.
Personal Life
Doug Emhoff was married to film producer Kerstin Mackin from 1992 to 2008. They have two children together, Cole and Ella.
In 2013, Emhoff met Kamala Harris on a blind date. At the time, she was the Attorney General of California. They got engaged in March 2014 and were married on August 22, 2014. Harris's younger sister, Maya, led their wedding ceremony.
When Kamala Harris became Vice President, the couple temporarily lived at Blair House. This is a guest house for the president. Their official home, Number One Observatory Circle, was being fixed up. They also have homes in San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles.
See also
In Spanish: Douglas Emhoff para niños
