Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Who is JD Vance? Things to Know About Donald Trump's Pick for Vice President
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 11 months ago on
July 15, 2024

J.D. Vance, the venture capitalist and author of "Hillbilly Elegy," holds his book as he speaks with supporters after a rally on July 1, 2021, in Middletown, Ohio, where he announced he is joining the crowded Republican race for the Ohio U.S. Senate seat. Sen. Vance, R-Ohio, sharply criticized Donald Trump during the 2016 election cycle, before changing course and embracing the former president. Vance is now one of Trump's fiercest allies and defenders and among those short-listed to be Trump's vice presidential pick. (AP File)

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Former President Donald Trump on Monday chose U.S. Sen. JD Vance of Ohio to be his running mate as he looks to return to the White House.

Here are some things to know about Vance, a 39-year-old Republican now in his first term in the Senate:

Vance Rose to Prominence with Memoir ‘Hillbilly Elegy’

Vance was born and raised in Middletown, Ohio. He joined the Marines and served in Iraq, and later earned degrees from Ohio State University and Yale Law School. He also worked as a venture capitalist in Silicon Valley.

Vance made a name for himself with his memoir, the 2016 bestseller “Hillbilly Elegy,” which was published as Trump was first running for president. The book earned Vance a reputation as someone who could help explain the maverick New York businessman’s appeal in middle America, and especially among the working class, rural white voters who helped Trump win the presidency.

“Hillbilly Elegy” also introduced Vance to the Trump family. Donald Trump Jr. loved the book and knew of Vance when he went to launch his political career. The two hit it off and have remained friends.

He was First Elected to Public Office in 2022

After Donald Trump won the 2016 election, Vance returned to his native Ohio and set up an anti-opioid charity. He also took to the lecture circuit and was a favored guest at Republican Lincoln Day dinners where his personal story — including the hardship Vance endured because of his mother’s drug addiction — resonated.

Vance’s appearances were opportunities to sell his ideas for fixing the country and helped lay the groundwork for entering politics in 2021, when he sought the Senate seat vacated by Republican Rob Portman, who retired.

Trump endorsed Vance. Vance went on to win a crowded Republican primary and the general election.

Vance Went from Never-Trumper to Fierce Ally

Vance was a “never Trump” Republican in 2016. He called Trump “dangerous” and “unfit” for office. Vance, whose wife, lawyer Usha Chilukuri Vance, is Indian-American and the mother of their three children, also criticized Trump’s racist rhetoric, saying he could be “America’s Hitler.”

But by the time Vance met Trump in 2021, he had reversed his opinion, citing Trump’s accomplishments as president. Both men downplayed Vance’s past scathing criticism.

Once elected, Vance became a fierce Trump ally on Capitol Hill, unceasingly defending Trump’s policies and behavior.

He is a Leading Conservative Voice

Kevin Roberts, president of the conservative Heritage Foundation, called Vance a leading voice for the conservative movement, on key issues including a shift away from interventionist foreign policy, free market economics and “American culture writ large.”

Democrats call him an extremist, citing provocative positions Vance has taken but sometimes later amended. Vance signaled support for a national 15-week abortion ban during his Senate run, for instance, then softened that stance once Ohio voters overwhelmingly backed a 2023 abortion rights amendment.

On the 2020 election, he said he wouldn’t have certified the results immediately if he had been vice president and that Trump had “a very legitimate grievance.” He has put conditions on honoring the results of the 2024 election that echo Trump’s. A litany of government and outside investigations have not found any election fraud that could have swung the outcome of Trump’s 2020 loss to Democratic President Joe Biden.

In the Senate, Vance sometimes embraces bipartisanship. He and Democratic Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown co-sponsored a railway safety bill following a fiery train derailment in the Ohio village of East Palestine. He’s sponsored legislation extending and increasing funding for Great Lakes restoration, and supported bipartisan legislation boosting workers and families.

Vance Brings Strengths at Debating, Fundraising

People familiar with the vice presidential vetting process said Vance would bring to the GOP ticket debating skills, fundraising prowess and the ability to articulate Trump’s vision.

Charlie Kirk, founder of the conservative activist group Turning Point USA, said Vance compellingly articulates the America First world view and could help Trump in states he closely lost in 2020, such as Michigan and Wisconsin, that share Ohio’s values, demographics and economy.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Life-Threatening Meals: Restaurants Would Identify Food Allergens for Diners Under This Proposed Law

DON'T MISS

Iran Threatens to Strike US Bases in Region if Military Conflict Arises

DON'T MISS

Trump Has Cut Science Funding to Its Lowest Level in Decades

DON'T MISS

Fresno Measure C Transportation Tax Talks Continue Amid Renewal Uncertainty

DON'T MISS

Judge Bars Trump Administration From Detaining Mahmoud Khalil

DON'T MISS

Is a Waxed Apple ‘Ultra-Processed?’ CA Bill Could Trigger a Lawsuit Barrage

DON'T MISS

Edmunds: These Five Vehicles Are Hidden Automotive Gems

DON'T MISS

GM to Invest $4 Billion to Shift Some Production From Mexico to the US

DON'T MISS

How Your Air Conditioner Can Help the Power Grid, Rather Than Overloading It

DON'T MISS

Hundreds of Laid-off CDC Employees Are Being Reinstated

UP NEXT

Iran Threatens to Strike US Bases in Region if Military Conflict Arises

UP NEXT

Trump Has Cut Science Funding to Its Lowest Level in Decades

UP NEXT

Fresno Measure C Transportation Tax Talks Continue Amid Renewal Uncertainty

UP NEXT

Judge Bars Trump Administration From Detaining Mahmoud Khalil

UP NEXT

Is a Waxed Apple ‘Ultra-Processed?’ CA Bill Could Trigger a Lawsuit Barrage

UP NEXT

Edmunds: These Five Vehicles Are Hidden Automotive Gems

UP NEXT

GM to Invest $4 Billion to Shift Some Production From Mexico to the US

UP NEXT

How Your Air Conditioner Can Help the Power Grid, Rather Than Overloading It

UP NEXT

Hundreds of Laid-off CDC Employees Are Being Reinstated

UP NEXT

National Guard Troops Have Temporarily Detained Civilians in LA Protests, Commander Says

Giants Rally Again to Beat Lowly Rockies for 7th Straight Win

22 minutes ago

Wildfire Burns in Madera County With No Containment

23 minutes ago

Humanitarian Workers Killed in Gaza Ambush Blamed on Hamas, Internet Cut in Territory

45 minutes ago

Mexican Flags at LA Protests Are Dividing America

47 minutes ago

Trump Blocks California EV Rules in Latest Move to Rein In the State

54 minutes ago

Wired Wednesday: Untangling Community Health’s Kickback Scheme

1 hour ago

Italy Has No Indication of Imminent Israeli Attack on Iran

2 hours ago

Fresno Scientist Says He Can Treat Raw Milk, Keep Its Benefits. He Just Got FDA Approval

2 hours ago

Britain Ready to Implement US Tariff Deal, Trade Minister Says

2 hours ago

UN Says Full Internet Blackout in Gaza, Paralyzing Aid Operations

2 hours ago

US Sen. Alex Padilla Was Forcibly Removed After Interrupting News Conference by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem

LOS ANGELES — US Sen. Alex Padilla was forcibly removed after interrupting news conference by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

2 seconds ago

2 seconds ago

US Sen. Alex Padilla Was Forcibly Removed After Interrupting News Conference by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem

1 minute ago

Fresno Joins Nationwide ‘No Kings Day’ Movement at Multiple Locations

5 minutes ago

JetBlue Flight Rolls off Runway at Boston Airport, No Injuries Reported

18 minutes ago

Teoscar Hernández Hits a 3-Run Homer and the Dodgers Beat the Padres to Win the Series

22 minutes ago

Giants Rally Again to Beat Lowly Rockies for 7th Straight Win

A wildfire burning near Avenue 7 1/2 and River Drive in Madera Valley has scorched 12 acres with zero containment as of Thursday, June 12, 2025, morning. (CalFire)
23 minutes ago

Wildfire Burns in Madera County With No Containment

Palestinians gather to collect what remains of relief supplies from the distribution center of the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, June 5, 2025. (Reuters/Stringer)
45 minutes ago

Humanitarian Workers Killed in Gaza Ambush Blamed on Hamas, Internet Cut in Territory

47 minutes ago

Mexican Flags at LA Protests Are Dividing America

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend