(NewsNation) — The role of the first lady of the United States has changed over time. Now, we might have a first gentleman.
If Vice President Kamala Harris wins the 2024 presidential election, not only will she become the first woman to serve as president of the United States, but her husband will serve as the first-ever first gentleman of the U.S.
After President Joe Biden stepped out of the race, Harris became the presumptive Democratic Party nominee. Her husband, Doug Emhoff, has jumped into action, traveling to campaign for his wife.
Who is Doug Emhoff?
Emhoff grew up in New Jersey before moving to California in his late teens. He then attended California State University, Northridge, before graduating from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law.
Ehoff worked in entertainment law at several law firms before leaving his last firm before Harris was inaugurated as vice president.
In December 2020, Georgetown University Law Center announced that Emhoff would join the faculty as a distinguished visiting lecturer.
Before meeting Harris, Emhoff was married for 16 years to film producer Kerstin Emhoff, with whom he had two children, Cole and Ella.
Emhoff’s relationship with Harris
Emhoff and Harris met on a blind date set up by a mutual friend in 2013. Emhoff has called meeting Harris “love at first sight.”
Harris said in a 2019 piece for Elle that she had wanted to take things slow when it came to meeting Emhoff’s children, but she went on to say Cole and Ella “reeled her in.”
The pair married in August 2014 in a ceremony officiated by Harris’ sister, Maya.
Emhoff’s time as second gentleman
Emhoff recognizes the historical value of his position in the Biden-Harris administration and has traveled to 37 states, two native nations and 14 countries to meet people in different communities, according to the administration.
As the first-ever second gentleman, Emhoff has expressed the importance of his wife as a champion of gender equality, emphasizing that he wants a future where it isn’t rare for there to be a second (or first) gentleman.
He has also made history as the first Jewish spouse of an American vice president and has been a leading voice in combating antisemitism in the U.S.
As a lawyer for over 30 years, Emhoff has also advocated for removing barriers that prevent people from having access to legal aid.
Potential first gentleman
If Emhoff became the first-ever first gentleman, it would be historic. The role of the first lady has changed over the years, and while not an official position, it is an active one, and becoming the first gentleman could hold a lot of responsibility for Emhoff.
The National Park Service’s First Ladies National Historical Site says that the first lady often serves as “a director of social affairs, presidential liaison, symbol of strength, policy advocate, political reformer, keeper of ‘the People’s House,’ partner, and confidant.”
As first gentleman, Emhoff would continue being a champion of the administration and would likely continue to be an advocate for access to legal aid and gender equality.
Emhoff would also be the first Jewish spouse of an American president, continuing his work to combat antisemitism.
Since Biden withdrew from the race and endorsed Harris, Emhoff has already begun his work on the campaign trail. He has been traveling for events in different states and doing speaking appearances.
On a podcast episode of “Stay Tuned with Preet,” Emhoff said he was proud of Harris.
“I’m honored now to have my wife be at the top of the ticket,” he told host and former federal prosecutor Preet Bharara on the episode.
Harris’ election bid is underway, and she is expected to announce her choice for a running mate, with the Democratic National Convention reportedly planning to virtually announce Harris and her running mate by Aug. 7.