At the Republican National Convention on Monday, former President Donald Trump announced J.D. Vance as his running mate, elevating the Ohio senator to greater national prominence.
Getting to Know J.D. Vance
Background J.D. Vance’s early years were spent in Jackson, Kentucky, and Middletown, Ohio. His 2016 autobiography, “Hillbilly Elegy,” describes his early struggles with poverty and family adversity. Due to his mother’s battle with drug addiction, Vance was largely raised by his grandmother, whom he calls Mamaw.
Age Vance is 39 years old, having been born on August 2, 1984. Since Richard Nixon, he would be the youngest vice president if elected.
Military Service After high school, Vance joined the Marine Corps, serving in Iraq as a public affairs marine.
Family Life J.D. Vance is married to Usha Vance, a litigator for a law firm with offices in San Francisco and Washington, D.C. In 2014, the pair were married after meeting at Yale Law School. Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel are their three children.
Residence The Vance family resides in East Walnut Hills, Cincinnati. Last year, Vance also purchased a $1.5 million home in Alexandria, Virginia.
Political Career Vance entered the political arena in 2022, winning a U.S. Senate seat by defeating former Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan.
Relationship with Trump Initially a critic of Trump, Vance harshly criticized the former president in 2016. However, he shifted his stance during his Senate campaign, deleting old tweets and expressing support for Trump’s policies, ultimately earning Trump’s endorsement.
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Policy Views Vance is a proponent of the New Right, a form of populist conservatism. In addition to supporting tariffs, he opposes US engagement in international disputes, such as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. He is likewise against Social Security cutbacks.
Legislative Work In the Senate, Vance has worked across party lines on certain issues, such as a rail safety bill with Sen. Sherrod Brown and legislation with Sen. Elizabeth Warren to hold bank executives accountable. He has also introduced conservative bills, including those to ban gender-affirming care for minors and eliminate federal diversity programs.
Abortion Stance Vance opposes abortion and believes in government policies that encourage childbearing. Following recent state votes favoring abortion access, he has moderated his rhetoric, supporting access to the abortion drug mifepristone.
Summary J.D. Vance’s selection as Trump’s running mate has placed him in the national spotlight, underscoring his unique personal history, policy positions, and changing relationship with the former president.