Although the presidential campaign season is in full swing, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff found some time Sunday afternoon to stop by a Philadelphia Eagles watch party in Falls Township’s Levittown section.
While not on his public schedule, Emhoff, husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, swung by the watch party hosted by local Democrats at Kasdon’s Restaurant and Tavern on New Falls Road.
The second gentleman’s visit came along with a U.S. Secret Service motorcade, campaign staff, and a handful of reporters. The activity came as a surprise to many people passing by.
Partygoers were pleased to see Emhoff, who has been traveling the country campaigning for his wife’s bid for the White House.
Emhoff, who was raised in central New Jersey before moving to California, wouldn’t say he was an Eagles fan, but he was paying close attention to Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, who is on his fantasy football team.
Pennsbury School Board member Donna Petrecco, a former Eagles cheerleader, and Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie greeted Emhoff.
The second gentleman ordered a beer as he met with supporters of his wife’s campaign.
Steve Seufert, the vice chairperson of the township’s Democratic party, was among those who were at the bar when Emhoff arrived.
“As a Levittown native, I couldn’t be prouder that Falls Township hosted the soon to be First Gentleman,” said Seufert, who also is a Pennsylvania Democratic state committee person. “While Trump and Republicans only care about billionaires and millionaires, a Harris/Walz administration will deliver real results for the working men and women of Lower Bucks.”
James and Karen Petrides, who own Kasdon’s Restaurant and Tavern, said they were honored to host the second gentleman and his supporters. However, the business owners said they weren’t taking sides and often also host events for local Republican groups.
After spending some time at the Eagles party, Emhoff went outside and met a group of Boy Scouts that were selling popcorn for a fundraiser.
Emhoff purchased a bag of caramel popcorn for Harris, noting she liked the flavor. He also pointed to a staff member, who earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts.
After buying the popcorn, the second gentleman left and went to the official event that was on his calendar, a Democratic campaign canvass launch at the Lower Makefield Township Community Center.
The campaign canvass launch was filled with approximately 150 Democratic volunteers and staff, who cheered when the second gentleman arrived.
Emhoff called his wife a “joyful warrior” who is an “optimist” looking to move the country forward.
The second gentleman praised his wife’s debate performance against former President Donald Trump.
“When we elect her as president, she’s going to stand by you and she’s going to stand by working families. She’s going to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies around the world, and she’s especially going to stand up to weak cowards,” he said. “Because cowards always run from a fight. Don’t they? And Kamala has always run to a fight, and that’s what she’s going to do. She’s been fighting for us, fighting for the people.”
Emhoff said his wife would focus on protecting abortion rights, keeping the American dream strong, and preserving the American way of life.
Speaking on an event last week where Trump was criticized for making comments many interpreted as anti-Semetic, Emhoff denounced hate against people of the Jewish faith and noted he is the first Jewish person to be the spouse of a vice president.
Ashley Ehasz, the Democratic candidate running against Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, briefly met with Emhoff after his speech.
The candidate, a military veteran, said she has been enthused by Harris and her campaign’s focus on supporting democracy, protecting abortion rights, and fighting against extremism.
“It’s nice to see someone of his importance here in the district and I think it fundamentally underlines just how important the district is,” she said of the high-profile visit.
Ehasz said her campaign recently hired more field staff to drum up support in the upcoming election.
Pennsylvania is a key swing state for Harris or former President Donald Trump in their run for president. Bucks County is a swing county and often sees high-profile, pre-election visits.
Emhoff’s last stop in Bucks County was during the 2020 campaign.
Trump’s running mate, U.S. Sen. JD Vance, will take part in a campaign rally in Newtown Township on Saturday.
Trump was expected to visit Central Bucks County on Sunday, but his campaign removed the event from his schedule last week.
