Donald Trump has picked Senator JD Vance of Ohio to be his running mate for his 2024 election campaign.
The former president reportedly chose Vance for his dedication to the American workers and farmers in critical Midwestern states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Minnesota.
So, who is this 39-year-old senator, who has served just one term in government so far? And what is his relationship with Trump?
Born and raised in Middletown, Ohio, Vance joined the Marines at a young age and served in Iraq. He later pursued higher education at Ohio State University and Yale Law School before working as a venture capitalist.
Vance rose to prominence with his 2016 bestseller, Hillbilly Elegy, which was published during Trump’s first presidential campaign. The book explored working-class struggles in middle America and provided insights into Trump’s appeal among rural white voters. It also introduced Vance to the Trump family, leading to a lasting friendship with Donald Trump Jr.
Following his rise in fame, Vance pursued a political career in Ohio, participating in public events such as Lincoln Day Dinners to promote his political views. His political ambitions became official in 2021 when he ran for the Senate seat vacated by retired Republican Rob Portman. With Trump’s endorsement, the Ohio native won the Republican primary and the general election, taking office in 2022.
Vance’s relationship with the former US president has evolved over time. In 2016, he was a prominent “Never Trump” Republican, criticizing Trump as unfit for office. His wife, Indian-American lawyer Usha Chilukuri, even described Trump as “America’s Hitler.”
By 2021, Vance had changed his stance, citing Trump’s achievements during his presidency as reasons for his shift. Once elected in 2022, Vance became a strong supporter of Trump, defending his policies and praising his presidency. In an interview with Hannity, Vance stated, “I think he (Trump) changed the minds of a lot of Americans because again he delivered that peace and prosperity.”
As Trump’s running mate, Vance is expected to play a key role in helping him secure states he lost in the 2020 election, including Michigan and Wisconsin, which have strong Republican presence.
