Second Gentleman Emhoff Reflects On Being First Jew To Hold His Position
Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff reflected on his Jewish faith this Hanukkah season as he and Vice President Kamala Harris prepare to leave office next month following a decisive loss in the 2024 election.
Speaking to a small gathering, Emhoff remarked on the significance of his role as the first Jewish Second Gentleman.
“When I stepped into this position, I thought being the first man in the role would be the headline. But in reality, being the first Jew turned out to be the bigger deal. I felt a deep sense of responsibility,” Emhoff said. “I’ve embraced that responsibility by living my faith openly, proudly, and joyfully, with the full support of my wife, even though our beliefs differ.”
Harris was soundly defeated by President-elect Donald Trump in November. Trump not only secured a strong majority in the Electoral College but also won the popular vote, delivering him a clear mandate. Meanwhile, Republicans retained control of the House with a slim majority and reclaimed the Senate.
In the aftermath, some political leaders have criticized Harris’s approach during her campaign. Teamsters International President Sean O’Brien, during an interview with Tucker Carlson, accused Harris of alienating organized labor with her perceived arrogance.
O’Brien shared an incident involving one of his vice presidents meeting Harris at an event earlier in the year. “She said to my VP, ‘Teamsters? You better get on board soon.’ That’s what she told her, directly,” O’Brien recounted. “When I heard that, I couldn’t believe it. I told Marty Walsh, the then-Labor Secretary, ‘Who does she think she is? If you want someone’s support, you don’t point your finger in their face and demand it.’”
O’Brien further criticized Harris’s approach to union outreach. “When she finally agreed to meet with us, it was only after we publicly pressured her. Even then, her team tried to dictate the terms, limiting her to just three questions during a union roundtable. She ended the meeting 20 minutes early and left by saying, ‘I’ll win with you or without you.’ That attitude was telling. From that moment, I knew she was going to lose,” he said.
As Harris prepares to exit office, speculation is mounting about her future political ambitions. Some reports suggest she may run for governor of California in 2026, while others believe she could launch another presidential campaign in 2028.