With the presidential election growing ever closer all eyes are on The White House but it isn’t just the role of POTUS that has significance with their spouse also playing an important part
As the presidential race heats up with just weeks to go before the election Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are gearing up for their final battle in the race for the White House.
While Trump has his wife and former First Lady Melania Trump in his corner, Harris being supported by current Second Gentleman, her husband Douglas Emhoff. Emhoff already works in the Biden-Harris Administration travelling nationwide and globally to support his wife and current President Joe Biden.
Born in New Jersey, Emhoff was raised by parents Mike and Barbara, alongside his siblings, Jamie and Andy. The family moved to Los Angeles, California when he was a teenager. Emhoff eventually studied for his future career at California State University, Northridge and a J.D. from University of Southern California Gould School of Law.
Douglas works in support of the Biden-Harris administration (Image:POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
He and Vice President Harris got married almost ten years and co-parent his children Cole and Ella Emhoff. He has traveled to 44 states and fifteen countries working with community leaders, legal aid providers, health care professionals, parents, teachers, caregivers, small business owners, and more hearing their stories and sharing details of the work the Biden-Harris Administration has done.
Emhoff sees himself as a champion of gender equity and has met with throughout the world to discuss the importance of equity in the workplace, equal pay, and access to reproductive health care. Emhoff is the first Jewish spouse of an American president or vice president.
He has embraced his Jewish heritage and culture with the nation by celebrating Hanukkah in the White House and affixing Mezuzahs on the doorposts of the Vice Presidents Residence. Emhoff is also a leading voice on combating antisemitism, and has convened Jewish leaders at the White House to bring attention to the rise in antisemitism.
Douglas works in support of the Biden-Harris administration (Image:POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
As a practicing attorney for over 30 years Emhoff is an advocate for justice and equality in the legal system. He strongly believes in legal aid access for all who need it and in removing barriers legal, social, and financial that prevent those who need help in the legal system from getting it.
Emhoff has been teaching law courses at the Georgetown University Law Center since January 2020. He also spends time promoting awareness on mental health and loneliness. Working alongside Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy the pair have spoken at private and public sector programs that destigmatize mental health issues, provide mental health resources, and offer opportunities and support to those who need it in communities across America.
The Second Gentleman wants all Americans to feel reassured that they can talk about and address mental health challenges, including substance use disorders, openly and free of stigma.