Trump Taps Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance as 2024 Running Mate

In a significant political development, Donald Trump announced Ohio U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance as his vice-presidential running mate on Monday. The announcement was made during the opening day of the Republican National Convention, putting an end to months of speculation regarding Trump’s choice for the position.

Despite having less than two years of experience as a senator, Vance has made headlines for his votes against major bipartisan bills. Before his congressional career, Vance served in the Marine Corps during the Iraq war, worked in venture capitalism, and authored a memoir about his upbringing in Appalachia. He holds a law degree from Yale.

“After lengthy deliberation and thought, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the position of Vice President of the United States is Senator J.D. Vance of the Great State of Ohio,” Trump posted on social media. Trump, expected to be nominated as the 2024 Republican presidential candidate on Thursday night, emphasized Vance’s commitment to American workers and farmers.

Kevin Roberts, president of the conservative Heritage Foundation, expressed his approval of the choice during a policy event in Milwaukee. “You will see a broad smile on my face,” Roberts said, lauding Vance as a person who embodies the values of the Heritage Foundation. Roberts praised Vance for his listening skills, thoughtfulness, and shared similar challenging upbringing.

Trump’s previous vice president, Mike Pence, has distanced himself from Trump following the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. This necessitated Trump’s search for a new running mate. Pence has publicly criticized the direction of the Republican Party under Trump’s leadership, particularly on issues such as abortion.

Born in Middletown, Ohio, in August 1984, Vance joined the Marine Corps after high school and later attended Ohio State University. He graduated from Yale Law School in 2013 and worked for the law firm Sidley Austin LLP. Vance’s 2016 memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis,” garnered national attention but also faced backlash for its portrayal of Appalachia.

Vance has also seen success in the tech industry, working as a venture capitalist and co-founding Cincinnati-based Narya Capital. His first senatorial campaign in 2022 saw him defeating Democratic candidate Tim Ryan with 53% of the vote. Since taking office, Vance has voted against several key legislative items, including the debt limit increase and an emergency spending bill for military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.

On the Senate floor, Vance has argued against extensive U.S. involvement in Ukraine, drawing parallels to the Iraq war. Despite his firm stance on aid and military involvement overseas, Vance has also shown a willingness to work across the aisle. He co-sponsored a bipartisan rail safety bill following the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.

“Congress has a real opportunity to ensure that what happened in East Palestine will never happen again,” Vance wrote in a statement, highlighting the importance of safeguarding communities from future disasters. However, the bill has yet to advance to a committee markup or floor vote in the Senate.

This announcement marks a pivotal moment in the upcoming 2024 election, setting the stage for Trump’s renewed bid for the presidency.