Doug Emhoff Shares Relatable Story of Life, Love with VP Kamala Harris

Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff spoke at the DNC, praising his “blended family,” especially his wife, Vice President Kamala Harris.

“I love you so much,” Emhoff said. “I’m so proud of how you’ve stepped up for us. But that’s who she is. Wherever she’s needed, however she’s needed, Kamala rises to the occasion.”

Emhoff met his now-wife through a client at the time, Chrisette Hudlin.

“In 2013, I walked into a contentious client meeting,” Emhoff said. “We worked through the issue and by the end of the meeting, the now happy client offered to set me up on a blind date.”

After meeting with Emhoff at his office, Hudlin called Harris to tell her about it. Emhoff said that’s “how I ended up with Kamala Harris’s phone number.”

“For generations, people have debated when to call the person you’re being set up with. Never in history has anyone suggested 8:30 a.m.,” Emhoff said to laud laughs from the DNC crowd. “I got Kamala’s voicemail; I just started rambling: ‘Hey it’s Doug. I’m on my way to an early meeting. Again, it’s Doug.'”

Emhoff spoke about the embarrassment he felt, trying to take back his words. Harris, however, saved the voicemail and made Emhoff listen to it on every anniversary.

The two will celebrate their tenth anniversary on Thursday when Harris is set to speak at the DNC.

“I know it means I’m about to hear that embarrassing voice message again,” Emhoff said. “That same night, I’ll hear my wife, Kamala Harris, accept your nomination for president of the United States.”

She eventually called back in 2013, and the two shared a laugh.

“I love that laugh,” Emhoff said, contrasting Harris’s opponent, former President Donald Trump, and his personal attacks. Trump has attacked Harris for her laugh throughout his campaign rallies over the past few weeks. He called her laugh “of a lunatic,” noting that he does not have “a lot of respect for her” or her intelligence. Trump even added “Laughing Kamala” to the list of nicknames he has hurled.

Emhoff talked about how Harris has cherished his children, Cole and Ella, who he had in his first marriage. During a moment of reprise from the election trail, Emhoff saw her focused, sitting in her favorite chair.

“All I knew was that it must be something important,” Emhoff said. “And it was, Ella had called her. That’s Kamala. Those kids are her priorities, and that scene was a perfect map of her heart. She’s always been there for our children and I know she’ll be there for yours too.”

Emhoff said Harris was the right person for him at a critical moment, now she is the right person for the American public.

Similarly to Harris, Emhoff worked at McDonalds while growing up. He recalled at the DNC about his time growing up in New Jersey. Emhoff talked about his “typical suburban childhood” filled with biking, riding the bus to Hebrew school and getting a Slurpee after Little League if his team did well. He said the “guys I grew up with are still my best friends.”

“The group chat is active every day and it’s probably active right now, guys,” Emhoff said.

The relatable attorney shared how his fantasy football team’s name is Nirvana after the band.

He shared how Harris has been able to help Emhoff connect more “deeply” to his faith over the past decade, “even though it’s not the same as hers.” Emhoff has brought his Jewish heritage and culture to Washington, openly celebrating Hannukah and affixing mezuzahs on the doorposts of the Vice President’s official residence at the Naval Observatory. He said Harris makes a “mean brisket” for the holidays.

“Kamala has fought against antisemitism and all forms of hate her whole career,” Emhoff said. “She’s the one who encouraged me to take up that fight.”

Emhoff spoke to Harris’s drive, finding “joy in pursuing justice” and “standing up to bullies.”

“She’s showing you what we already know: she’s ready to lead,” Emhoff said. “She will be a great president we will all be proud of.”

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