Kerstin Emhoff, the ex-wife of second gentleman Doug Emhoff , shut down sexist attacks against Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday, rebuking conservatives description of the VP as childless.

Emhoff, a film and TV producer, shares two adult children with the second gentleman: Cole, 29, and Ella, 25.

These are baseless attacks, she told New York Times White House reporter Katie Rogers. For over 10 years, since Cole and Ella were teenagers, Kamala has been a co-parent with Doug and I.

She is loving, nurturing, fiercely protective, and always present. I love our blended family and am grateful to have her in it, Emhoff continued.

Kerstin and Doug Emhoff divorced in 2008 after 16 years of marriage. Harris and Doug Emhoff wed in 2014.

Harris was endorsed by President Joe Biden to replace him as the Democratic nominee for president, shortly after he dropped his bid for reelection on Sunday. Shes since faced fresh scrutiny for not having biological children.

Meanwhile, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), Donald Trump s vice presidential pick, received backlash this week after a 2021 clip resurfaced online in which he referred to Harris as one of the childless cat ladies running the country.

People have slammed the senator , noting that there are many reasons why a woman doesnt have , or chooses not to have, kids.

The vice president has talked about her relationship with her stepchildren on several occasions.