<p>When Kamala Harris makes history as the first woman and first Black US vice president, her husband Doug Emhoff will break his own new ground: as the original "second husband."</p>.<p>Harris and Emhoff, who married in 2014 -- she for the first time, he for the second -- will also be the first mixed-race couple to occupy their positions. He is white while she is the daughter of Indian and Jamaican immigrants. Both are 56.</p>.<p>The contours of Emhoff's new role as the nation's "second husband" -- some prefer "second gentleman" -- have yet to be determined; he has been vague about his plans so far.</p>.<p>Traditionally, the spouses of presidents and vice presidents have been expected to forge a careful balance of supportiveness and independence. Many pick a charitable cause to promote.</p>.<p>Emhoff, who was credited as a "secret weapon" on the campaign trail for his wife -- even earning his own following on social media -- is an accomplished lawyer specializing in media, sports and entertainment law.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/first-woman-us-vice-president-kamala-harris-vows-will-not-be-the-last-912811.html">First woman US vice president, Kamala Harris vows 'will not be the last'</a></strong></p>.<p>He took leave in August from the multinational DLA Piper, which has lobbying offices in Washington. That could raise prickly conflicts of interest with Harris's work.</p>.<p>Emhoff has been publicly vague about whether he will stay with the firm, though he has told interviewers he might want to pursue pro bono legal work.</p>.<p>Emhoff marks another milestone: he would be the first Jew to be part of America's first or second families.</p>.<p>Friends have described him as a less-than-observant Jew but one who identifies strongly with, and is deeply shaped by, Judaism.</p>.<p>The Jewish publication Forward embraced him as the "Second Mensch." When its reporter asked Emhoff's mother Barbara about his religious upbringing, she was coy, but offered: "He was bar mitzvahed in New Jersey, I can tell you that."</p>.<p>Born in Brooklyn and raised in New Jersey, he is said to have happy memories of Jewish summer camp, where he won athletic awards.</p>.<p>While in high school, his father moved the family to Los Angeles. Emhoff earned a law degree at the University of Southern California, then worked at other law firms before reaching DLA Piper.</p>.<p>When Emhoff met Harris on a blind date arranged by friends, it was "love at first sight," he later said.</p>.<p>His children by his first marriage -- Cole, named after John Coltrane and Ella, named after Ella Fitzgerald -- have embraced their stepmother as "Momala."</p>.<p>Emhoff's ex-wife Kerstin Mackin remains friendly and even joins the family at Thanksgiving.</p>.<p>The "second husband-elect," incidentally, shares one thing with Donald Trump: both are avid golfers.</p>
<p>When Kamala Harris makes history as the first woman and first Black US vice president, her husband Doug Emhoff will break his own new ground: as the original "second husband."</p>.<p>Harris and Emhoff, who married in 2014 -- she for the first time, he for the second -- will also be the first mixed-race couple to occupy their positions. He is white while she is the daughter of Indian and Jamaican immigrants. Both are 56.</p>.<p>The contours of Emhoff's new role as the nation's "second husband" -- some prefer "second gentleman" -- have yet to be determined; he has been vague about his plans so far.</p>.<p>Traditionally, the spouses of presidents and vice presidents have been expected to forge a careful balance of supportiveness and independence. Many pick a charitable cause to promote.</p>.<p>Emhoff, who was credited as a "secret weapon" on the campaign trail for his wife -- even earning his own following on social media -- is an accomplished lawyer specializing in media, sports and entertainment law.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/first-woman-us-vice-president-kamala-harris-vows-will-not-be-the-last-912811.html">First woman US vice president, Kamala Harris vows 'will not be the last'</a></strong></p>.<p>He took leave in August from the multinational DLA Piper, which has lobbying offices in Washington. That could raise prickly conflicts of interest with Harris's work.</p>.<p>Emhoff has been publicly vague about whether he will stay with the firm, though he has told interviewers he might want to pursue pro bono legal work.</p>.<p>Emhoff marks another milestone: he would be the first Jew to be part of America's first or second families.</p>.<p>Friends have described him as a less-than-observant Jew but one who identifies strongly with, and is deeply shaped by, Judaism.</p>.<p>The Jewish publication Forward embraced him as the "Second Mensch." When its reporter asked Emhoff's mother Barbara about his religious upbringing, she was coy, but offered: "He was bar mitzvahed in New Jersey, I can tell you that."</p>.<p>Born in Brooklyn and raised in New Jersey, he is said to have happy memories of Jewish summer camp, where he won athletic awards.</p>.<p>While in high school, his father moved the family to Los Angeles. Emhoff earned a law degree at the University of Southern California, then worked at other law firms before reaching DLA Piper.</p>.<p>When Emhoff met Harris on a blind date arranged by friends, it was "love at first sight," he later said.</p>.<p>His children by his first marriage -- Cole, named after John Coltrane and Ella, named after Ella Fitzgerald -- have embraced their stepmother as "Momala."</p>.<p>Emhoff's ex-wife Kerstin Mackin remains friendly and even joins the family at Thanksgiving.</p>.<p>The "second husband-elect," incidentally, shares one thing with Donald Trump: both are avid golfers.</p>