Harris’ Family Makes Presence Known in Chicago During DNC: Meet the Key Figures

Kamala Harris’ family is a diverse and supportive blend that has been visible during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and on social media, as Harris prepares to accept the party’s presidential nomination. Her husband, Doug Emhoff, could make history as America’s first gentleman spouse if she is elected president. Emhoff, 59, is an advocate against antisemitism and gave up his career as a lawyer to support Harris after she became vice president. The couple has two adult children, Ella and Cole, who affectionately call Harris “Momala.”

Ella, 25, is a talented artist and fashion designer living in New York, while Cole, 29, works in the film industry in Los Angeles. Maya Harris, Kamala’s sister, is a lawyer and policy advocate who chaired her sister’s 2020 presidential campaign. Maya’s husband, Tony West, temporarily left his role as Uber’s chief legal officer to support Kamala’s campaign. Meena Harris, Maya’s daughter, founded her own company and was actively involved in her aunt’s 2020 presidential campaign.

Kerstin Emhoff is Doug’s former wife and the mother of Ella and Cole. Despite their divorce, Kerstin and Doug have maintained an amicable relationship. Kamala’s parents, Shyamala Gopalan and Donald Harris, played significant roles in shaping her and Maya’s lives. Gopalan was a renowned breast cancer scientist from India, while Donald Harris, a prominent economist from Jamaica, was an economics professor at Stanford University.

The family members, including Emhoff’s ex-wife Kerstin and Harris’ husband’s former wife, have shown a united front in supporting Harris and defending their blended family against criticism. Critics have tried to link Donald Harris’ works on Marxist theories to false claims that Kamala is a communist, but his academic contributions centered on pragmatic approaches to economic growth. The Harris family’s presence and support have been evident throughout Harris’ political journey.