During the Democratic National Convention last week, I watched the first potential Madame President strut to the podium in her navy blue power suit with a *click click* of her stiletto heels on the stage. She is everything! But, admittedly, I was distracted by her husband, Doug Emhoff, the stone-cold fox boisterously clapping for his wife of 10 years like she’s the best damn thing that’s ever happened to him or to us.
You may know Doug Emhoff as a nerdy lawyer – and that’s fair. According to a now-deleted biography on his company’s website, he handled “some of today’s highest profile individuals and influencers in complex business, real estate and intellectual property litigation disputes.” Snooze. Instead, he should put on his website, “An anchor to Kamala Harris, the woman who made standing up to bullies a personality hack.”
You’re lying to yourself if you don’t see the second gentleman as a first-class hottie. If you need a little more convincing, hear me out!
Why Doug Emhoff Is The Ideal Partner
He has a unique role rn.
Emhoff is the first ~second gentleman~ in federal American history, a title he’s held with zero drama since the November 2020 election. If Harris-Walz wins this year, he will slide into the role of the first first gentleman of the United States. On his agenda: women’s equality. He explains that more women in leadership is not a binary choice. The first first gentleman to care about women?!? Hello, how could I idealize him any further?!?
In a world of fuckbois and guys with security issues, who could be hotter than a man like Doug? With his demure, scholarly stature, he exudes main character energy but (rightly) wants his wife in the spotlight. He seems unthreatened by her success without wholly lurking in her shadow.
He’s there for her, but like really there for her.
Scroll his socials, and you’ll sense his devotion. He called Harris “My rock” in a May 2023 IG post with a picture of their tender embrace (yes, I scrolled back that far). Just look at his X posts (before Elon Musk feels threatened and blocks the endearing @secondgentleman account). Last week he posted a video of their 10-year anniversary, gushing about their first date being love at first sight, and how he full-on emailed her his 6-month schedule the next morning. No withholding vibes here! Mr. Emhoff is the anti-Mr. Big.
Also, they met on a blind date. Don’t hate it till you’ve tried it.
Ten years of marriage, forever to go. Happy anniversary, @VP. I love you. pic.twitter.com/MlfqjhZ7oh
— Douglas Emhoff (@SecondGentleman) August 22, 2024
Doug was my pedestal after two divorces.
I low-key (alright, full flex) hired a dating coach after I got divorced for the second time (my bad) before I turned 40. I kept falling for men — unlike Doug — who just didn’t have their shit together. She asked me what I was looking for. Oh, duh, obviously I had a list I quickly rattled off — tall, successful, funny, dom without being scary – then I stopped myself and blurted out, “You know what I need? A Doug Emhoff.” She agreed with me and pointed out how Mr. Emhoff is the introvert to Ms. Harris’ extrovert, the sly smile to her endless grin.
Doug is the perfect blend of statuesque masculinity and doe-eyed idolatry. The way he looks at her tells me everything I need to know about his faith in her as a wife, a stepmother, and a leader.
We all deserve a Doug.
I stand by the direction I gave my coach, and now, a couple of years into the best relationship of my life, I found myself a Doug trapped in the body of an Irish/Italian stallion who happens to be an underwriter and poker player on the side. Hot. Hot. Hot. 10/10 would recommend — but hands off! Get your own Doug Emhoff.
For all you daters out there searching for Mr. or Ms. Right, find someone who checks only one box: they make me feel like the best version of me. It’s all you need. Doug is the example.
