JD Vance Takes Aim at Kamala Harris in Fiery Solo Campaign Debut as GOP VP Nominee

The venues were intended to play up Vance’s populist appeal across the Rust Belt and small-town America.

MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance launched his solo campaign rallies on Monday, targeting Vice President Kamala Harris a day after President Joe Biden exited the presidential race, endorsing her as his successor against Donald Trump.

In his hometown of Middletown, Vance addressed a crowd at his former high school. Later, he continued to Radford, Virginia. Both venues were strategically chosen to highlight his appeal to small-town America and the Rust Belt. Vance criticized the Biden-Harris administration for neglecting these regions.

“History will remember Joe Biden as one of the worst presidents in the history of the United States of America,” Vance said in Virginia. “But my friends, Kamala Harris is a million times worse and everybody knows it.” He accused Harris of signing up for Biden’s failures and misrepresenting his mental fitness for office.

Highlighting key issues, Vance blamed Harris for the administration’s record on inflation and immigration. He also accused Harris of wanting to abolish federal immigration enforcement and domestic police forces, claims meant to bolster his conservative credentials.

Emphasizing his background, Vance contrasted his military service and business ownership with Harris’s career as a prosecutor and politician. He criticized her tenure as a California attorney general and U.S. senator, framing his private-sector experience as more relatable and effective.

Addressing Trump supporters, Vance assured them of a future under Trump marked by peace and prosperity. He encouraged Republicans to dominate in the upcoming elections, envisioning a surge of “Made in the USA” products and questioning the country’s foreign involvements.

Although Vance stopped short of advocating for isolationism, he promised strong responses when necessary. He did not provide details on foreign policy, particularly concerning Ukraine and Gaza, aligning his approach with Trump’s “America First” stance.

In Ohio earlier, Vance dismissed criticism of Trump’s refusal to accept his 2020 defeat. He argued that the true threat to democracy comes from Democrats replacing Biden with Harris without holding primary contests.

Vance’s rally in Ohio included a controversial remark from Republican state senator George Lang suggesting a civil war could be necessary if Trump loses. Lang later apologized for his statement, particularly in the context of a recent assassination attempt on Trump.

Despite his strong rhetoric, Vance remains relatively unknown to many voters. A recent CNN poll showed a majority of registered voters had never heard of him or had no opinion.

Vance’s political evolution from Trump critic to staunch ally has been notable. His selection as Trump’s running mate left many Republican delegates unfamiliar with him, although he was well-received in his hometown.

Local supporters like Darlene Gooding praised Vance for his caring demeanor in contrast to Trump. In Virginia, former Democrat Pamela Holloway highlighted Vance’s honesty in his memoir “Hillbilly Elegy,” finding his personal experiences relatable and sincere.