‘Just Doug!’ campaigns for Kamala Harris in Tucson

Second gentleman Doug Emhoff — or just “Doug!” as the crowd of supporters shouted lovingly — campaigned for his wife, Democratic presidential candidate, Kamala Harris, at a downtown Tucson venue Thursday night.

At the invite-only event, Doug talked to an overheated room packed full of supporters about reproductive rights and the presidential race. Harris was campaigning in North Carolina today.

Among the invited attendees were groups such as the abortion rights organization Men4Choice and gun violence protection organization Moms Demand Action.

About 20 protesters were on the streets outside with Pro-Palestinian signs and flags.

Earlier in the day, Republican candidate and former president Donald Trump was also in Tucson speaking to a packed, pumped-up crowd at a venue less than a mile away.

Here are some of the takeaways from the Democratic campaign event:

Reproductive health care

Abortion rights and reproductive health care were big topics of the night.

Caleb Hayter, a member of Men4Choice, father and husband, said reproductive rights were at the top of his mind at the Harris campaign event as he waited to get inside.

“I have a wife, I have a daughter and reproductive rights are really important to me and I want to show my support for the campaign that’s actually going to protect those rights,” he said.

Hayter, a military veteran who said he served overseas in Afghanistan, also said he’s concerned about democracy and the country being attacked from within.

“I’m a military veteran served overseas in Afghanistan to try to protect this democracy. And January 6th 2021 was really horrifying to me. It was really traumatic,” he said.

Inside, local family physician Dr. Cady Harrell spoke about women in states with restrictive abortion laws, as people yelled, “We’re not going back!”

Then, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero took the stage and greeted the crowd, saying “¡Hola Democratas!”

She talked about the status of abortion rights across the country and the consequences following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

“It is unconscionable that women across the country in different states have different rights,” she said.

People shouted alongside Romero as she repeated Michelle Obama’s words during the Democratic National Convention. “Let’s do something!” they shouted.

She introduced Emhoff, as the crowd shouted “Doug!” He spoke about his mom and her work in the ’60s to advance women’s reproductive freedom, emphasizing the disappointment at having those freedoms taken away.

“For a woman of my mother’s age to have fought so hard with other women and men and to just see that ripped away,” he says. “It was just appalling.”

“We should be mad! Get mad and vote!,” he shouted as the crowd cheered.

Emhoff said he’ll continue working on reproductive issues whether he’s first gentleman, second gentleman or “just Doug!” and referenced Trump’s attitude toward Harris.

“Donald Trump doesn’t know how to deal with a powerful woman on the debate stage,” he says.

Gun reform

Pamela Simon came to the Emhoff event as part of Moms Demand Action, an organization fighting for gun law reform.

“I was one of the people wounded in the Tucson shooting and it is just so so important that we get some really good gun regulation in this country,” she says.

Simon was part of Gabby Gifford’s staff and one of the thirteen injured during the Jan. 8, 2011 mass shooting in Tucson that severely injured former Congresswoman Giffords and killed six people. She says there are misconceptions about what they’re fighting for.

“This is not about taking people’s guns away, this is about not having guns in the hands of people that should not have them,” she says.

Simon says she was a teacher for 23 years and Harris’ stance on other issues like immigration, education and, especially, reproductive rights resonate with her.

But, she said, she doesn’t think the win will be easy.

“I have great hopes but we are considering this an underdog race,” she said. “I am just hoping that people, especially Republicans, see with more clear eyes that we cannot survive as a nation to have another four years of Donald Trump.”

“The other guy”

Susan Schwartz was among the first in line for the event Thursday night.

Shielding herself from the sun with a “National Archives” baseball hat and dark blue sunglasses, she said she was excited to hear Emhoff speak and came to show support for the Harris-Walz campaign

“I do not think that the other guy is looking out for anyone except himself,” she said.

Schwartz also says Emhoff’s approach to antisemitism appeals to her. Emhoff, who is Jewish, has consistently spoken out against hate targeting the Jewish community.

“This really matters”

“Now we have Taylor Swift!” Doug exclaimed to end the night. The pop star announced on social media she would vote for Harris on Tuesday night after the debate, signing her post “Taylor Swift, Childless Cat Lady.”

He said Democrats need to use that momentum across the country and talked about upcoming campaign stops.

“We’re gonna bring it! This matters. This really matters!” he said.

People stood, cheered and waved their signs as Emhoff talked about his wife winning the election and ended his speech.

“See my wife, Kamala Harris, as the next president of the United States,” he shouted as the crowd erupted.

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