Doug Emhoff, the country’s first second gentleman, introduced himself to Democratic Representatives and the Nationin which he praised his wife, Vice President Kamala Harris, for her dedication to their family and linked it to the way she would lead the country if elected president.
“Wherever she’s needed, however she’s needed, Kamala is ready to deliver. And she did it for me and my family,” Emhoff said. “And now that the country needs her, she’s showing what we already know: She’s ready to lead.”
The second lord recalled his childhood in New Jersey and California, his career as an entertainment attorney and his meeting with Harris. He revealed that he first called her at 8:30 in the morning
“I got Kamala’s voicemail and I just started rambling, ‘Hey, I’m Doug. I’m on my way to an early meeting again, I’m Doug.’ I remember trying to grab the words out of the air and just put them back in my mouth,” Emhoff said.
Harris kept that message and played it at every one of his child’s birthdays, Emhoff said.
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The two will celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary on Thursday, the night Harris will deliver the keynote speech accepting the Democratic nomination for president.
“As I got to know her better and quickly fell in love, I learned what makes Kamala tick. And that’s what you’ve seen over the last four years and especially the last four weeks,” Emhoff said. “She finds joy in pursuing justice. She stands up to bullies, just like my parents taught me. She loves to see people do right, but hates when they’re treated unfairly.”
He praised Harris for standing up to anti-Semitism and all forms of faith.
“Her empathy is her strength,” said Emhoff, who called her a “happy warrior.”
“She will lead with joy and toughness, with that smile and that look, with compassion and conviction,” he said. “She will lead with the belief that no matter where we come from, no matter what we look like, we are strongest when we fight for what we believe in, not just what we fear.”
In 2020, when Harris made history as the nation’s first female vice president, Emhoff made history as the first second gentleman, and the first Jewish wife of a vice president or president. Emhoff has been outspoken about his Jewish identity and has made combating anti-Semitism a key part of his platform.
“She is the one who encouraged me as second gentleman to take up the fight, which is so personal to me,” said Emhoff.
Emhoff said he met Harris at a “significant moment” in his life.
“And at this moment in our country’s history, she is exactly the right president,” he said.
