United States: Doug Emhoff, a discreet man alongside Kamala Harris

Kamala Harris her husband Doug Emhoff after donating to Toys for Tots at Firehouse 1 in Washington DC on December 23, 2020. REUTERS - KEVIN LAMARQUE

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

Kamala Harris, the first black woman and the first black woman to hold this position, made American history by becoming Vice President of the United States.

At her side, a discreet man who does not especially want to put himself forward: her husband, met in 2013. Lawyer Doug Emhoff.

First man to blend into the bridegroom costume of Madam Vice-President. 

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His favorite phrase?

“ 

Oh you know I'm a guy like any other.

 Doug Emhoff ticks all the boxes for the nice guy who doesn't overdo it.

56 years old, father of two children from a first marriage, lawyer without being a star of the bar, attached to civil liberties but far from politics, he got caught up in the game when Kamala Harris entered the campaign.

We saw him speak at a meeting.

Not a word higher than the other.

Comfortable in her ideal companion costume, always ready to support his wife and the tandem she will form with Joe Biden.

 They have so much to do.

They face multiple crises.

The American people chose them to change it, to get out of it.

And I will do everything to help them. 

"

Don't take him for a political advisor.

Especially not.

Doug Emhoff reminds anyone who wants to hear it that he has put his career on hold and that he is only the vice-president's husband.

His wife, in two words?

: “

 She has her feet on the ground.

I get asked all the time what she really looks like.

I have to answer that it is surprisingly normal.

 "

Normal like him.

In summary Doug Emhoff should blend easily into the very formal role of husband of the most powerful woman in the United States.

► To read also: Kamala Harris, first woman to the vice-presidency of the United States

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