In a surprising move, former United States President Donald Trump has selected Senator JD Vance of Ohio as his running mate for the 2024 presidential election.
Vance, a former “Never Trumper” who later became a staunch supporter, brings an intriguing background to the Republican ticket.
Born in Ohio in 1984, Vance served in the Marine Corps as a public affairs officer during the Iraq War before attending prestigious universities like Ohio State and Yale Law School.
He gained national attention with his bestselling 2016 memoir “Hillbilly Elegy”, which provided insights into the struggles of America’s white working class.
Despite initial criticism of Trump, Vance has since aligned himself closely with the former president’s populist agenda. As a senator, he has taken hardline stances on issues like foreign aid, abortion, and immigration.
At 39 years old, Vance would be one of the youngest vice presidents in U.S. history if elected. His selection signals Trump’s effort to appeal to a younger demographic and solidify support among the Republican base.
The addition of Vance to the ticket is expected to energize Trump’s base, though it remains to be seen how he will fare against the Democratic nominee in the general election. Nonetheless, Vance’s unique background and evolution from Trump critic to ally have made him a central figure in the 2024 race.
Here are some important things you should know about him:
- Vance is a 39-year-old senator from Ohio, one of the swing states in the US.
- He was a vocal critic of Trump when the former president first ran for the White House in 2016. He eventually supported Trump, praising the former president’s tenure in the White House.
- Vance grew up in a working-class family. His parents divorced when he was young. As his mother struggled for years with drug and alcohol abuse, he was raised in part by his maternal grandparents.
- He is a former venture capitalist and the author of the bestselling memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy.”
- He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served in the Iraq War.
- Vance later graduated from Ohio State University and then earned a law degree at Yale University.
