Trump’s Bold Choice of J.D. Vance Sets the Stage for Fierce Presidential Showdown

MILWAUKEE — Cheers erupted at the Republican National Convention floor as Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance was named the vice presidential nominee. In stark contrast, Democrats criticized his stance on abortion and labeled him as inexperienced and a “clone” of Donald Trump.

Inside the Fiserv Forum, GOP delegates officially nominated Vance mere hours after Trump’s announcement. President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, remarked to reporters that Vance is indistinguishable from Trump, saying, “A clone of Trump on the issues.”

Reactions varied sharply within the Republican ranks. Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted emphasized the importance of the vice-presidential role during his formal nomination of Vance, stating, “The man who accepts this nomination accepts with it the awesome responsibility to give wise counsel to the president.”

Vance’s nomination speech took place with his wife, Usha Vance, by his side, featuring photos displayed on large screens. Bernie Moreno, aiming to unseat Ohio Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, initiated Vance’s nomination, unanimously accepted via voice vote. “To J.D. Vance, ‘America First’ is not just a slogan. It’s his North Star,” Moreno remarked.

On the convention floor, Florida Rep. Kat Cammack praised Vance’s enthusiasm and his popularity among the party’s base. Donald Trump Jr. addressed concerns about Vance’s experience by drawing parallels with his father’s successful yet politically inexperienced tenure.

Montana Sen. Steve Daines, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, supported Trump’s decision, emphasizing Vance’s connection with the working-class electorate. Notable party figures voiced their approval, including Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.

Shortly after Trump’s announcement, the Biden campaign organized a press call to critique Vance’s record, particularly his stance on abortion. Campaign officials, along with Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and abortion rights activists, highlighted Vance’s support for strict abortion bans.

Jen O’Malley Dillon of the Biden campaign accused Vance of meeting Trump’s extreme criteria and suggested that he would enable Trump’s controversial policies. Dillon also used the session to bolster the Biden-Harris campaign, referencing Kamala Harris’s readiness to debate Vance.

In a statement, Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison emphasized the high stakes of the upcoming election, asserting that a Trump-Vance ticket threatens democracy and personal freedoms. Echoing this sentiment, the National Women’s Law Center Action Fund criticized Vance for his extreme views.