OLD BRIDGE – Kamala Harris’ husband has roots in the Matawan and Old Bridge area.
In November 2019, Douglas Emhoff tweeted “I lived in Matawan/Old Bridge from 1969-1981 so New Jersey is still very much in my veins.”
On Nov. 7, it was projected that former Vice President Joe Biden earned enough electoral votes to defeat President Donald Trump in the election on Nov. 3 to become the 46th president of the United States in January. Kamala Harris would become the first female and first South Asian vice president.
Results are not official until certified.
Schools Superintendent David Cittadino tweeted on Nov. 11 a picture of Emhoff’s yearbook photo. The possible first second gentlemen attended Cedar Ridge High School before he moved to California.
Cedar Ridge High School opened in Old Bridge to address overcrowding in 1968, but closed in 1994. The township currently has one high school, Old Bridge High.
“No matter what candidates you supported it is a momentous time in history for Old Bridge as we proudly congratulate 1st Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff,” Cittadino wrote.
Cittadino said as the country possibly prepares to welcome the first woman, Asian and Black American to the vice president position, the country could also witness the first second gentleman and person of Jewish descent take his place in the White House team.
“The fact that Mr. Emhoff has roots in Old Bridge only makes the story so much more rich with opportunity,” Cittadino said when asked about Emhoff’s roots. “Our current students should savor in the inspiration that Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff provide for future generations. No matter your background, race, religion or gender, every child from Old Bridge should relish in the audacity to dream for a future bright with possibilities.”
Cittadino said when Emhoff was attending Old Bridge schools he probably never imagined this year’s presidential race.
“I am happy for our community children that Mr. Emhoff followed his heart to the White House,” he said. “And now the students know they can do the same following their heart and dreams.”
The Madison-Old Bridge Township Historical Society and Thomas Warne Museum posted a 1979 yearbook photo of Emhoff on their social media pages. Emhoff is 16 years old in the Ski Club photo.
He and his family lived in the Lakeridge community, which is a development of private homes, according to Richard Pucciarelli, president of the historical society and museum.
Pucciarelli said although Emhoff did not graduate from Cedar Ridge High School, his sister Jamie graduated from the high school in 1980. Emhoff also has another brother Andy Emhoff.