Former President Donald Trump has chosen Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance as his running mate, elevating a staunch ally and GOP star who once criticized Trump. Vance, 39, represents the Senate GOP’s Trump wing, frequently clashing with leadership and Democrats while finding bipartisan ground on some issues. By selecting Vance, Trump bypassed calls to add racial diversity or softer rhetoric to the ticket.
Vance, a Marine veteran from the Rust Belt, could expand Trump’s appeal in swing states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. His past criticisms of Trump, which he has since retracted, will likely be highlighted by Democrats. Vance has moderated his position on abortion, aligning more closely with Trump’s stance.
As the author of “Hillbilly Elegy,” Vance rose to fame as an anti-Trump pundit during the 2016 election but later secured Trump’s endorsement and won an Ohio Senate seat. Recently, he has been a vocal surrogate for Trump and has close ties to Trump’s son, Don Jr.
Despite his prominence, Vance remains relatively unknown nationally, with a CNN/SSRS poll showing 56% of respondents unaware of him. If the GOP wins in November, Vance will face the challenge of negotiating with Congress on Trump’s behalf, a role previously held by former Vice President Mike Pence.
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