After what may be the best-kept secret in modern presidential politics, Donald Trump has finally chosen J.D. Vance, the senator from Ohio, to be his running mate in the 2024 election.
J.D. Vance was born in Middletown, Ohio, to a working-class family. Raised mostly by his maternal grandparents due to his parent’s divorce and his mother’s alcohol and drug abuse, Vance enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps after graduating from Middletown High School in 2003. He deployed to Iraq and fought in the Iraq War.
After his service, Vance attended The Ohio State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in political science and philosophy. He then studied at Yale Law School, obtaining his JD. Post-law school, Vance worked for the law firm Sidley Austin LLP and various investment firms nationwide.
Vance gained fame in 2016 with the publication of “Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis,” which detailed his upbringing and painted a bleak picture of rural life, describing poverty as a “family tradition” for many. The book quickly became a bestseller, making Vance a sought-after political commentator.
In 2016, Vance moved back to Ohio to start a nonprofit aimed at helping disadvantaged children and addressing issues such as drug addiction and the opioid epidemic. Although the organization eventually folded, he later started an investment firm in Cincinnati.
In 2021, when Rob Portman announced he would not seek reelection, Vance entered the race to fill his Senate seat. With an endorsement from Donald Trump, Vance was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2022. In the Senate, Vance serves on the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee; the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee; the Joint Economic Committee; and the Special Committee on Aging.
Where J.D. Vance Stands on the Issues:
Immigration:
In one of his first Senate campaign advertisements, Vance released a video blaming Joe Biden for the border crisis and its effects on Ohio communities. He said, “Joe Biden’s open border is killing Ohioans. With more illegal drugs and more Democrat voters pouring into this country.” Vance supports finishing the border wall, opposes amnesty for illegal immigrants, and advocates for a merit-based system for legal immigration. He has also expressed concerns about immigrants being a source of cheap labor, suggesting, “If you cannot hire illegal migrants to staff your hotels, then you have to go to one of the seven million prime-age American men who are out of the labor force and find some way to re-engage them.”
Abortion:
Initially favoring a 15-week ban, Vance has recently supported leaving the decision to the states. In a “Face the Nation”, he stated, “I am pro-life. I want to save as many babies as possible. And sure, I think it’s totally reasonable to say that late-term abortions should not happen with reasonable exceptions. But I think Trump’s approach here is trying to settle a very tough issue and actually empower the American people to decide it for themselves.”
Ukraine:
Vance has long opposed funding for the war in Ukraine. In an op-ed for the New York Times, he argued, “Ukraine needs more soldiers than it can field, even with draconian conscription policies. And it needs more matériel than the United States can provide. This reality must inform any future Ukraine policy, from further congressional aid to the diplomatic course set by the president.” He accused President Biden of failing “to articulate even basic facts about what Ukraine needs and how this aid will change the reality on the ground.”
Middle East:
Vance has staunchly supported Israel throughout its war in Gaza, defending their wartime policies.
He led the effort to consider and vote on aid to Ukraine and Israel in separate packages. In a memo circulated among Republicans, he stated, “Israel has a clear plan, and we have a clear means of helping them to fulfill that plan — by providing very specific munitions to enable Israel to conduct a limited operation with a view to neutralizing the threat Hamas poses to Israel. We have no such plan for the Russia-Ukraine War.”
2020 Election:
Vance believes the 2020 election was stolen from Trump and has suggested there were significant problems that require political solutions. He stated in an interview with George Stephanopoulos, “If I had been vice president, I would have told the states, like Pennsylvania, Georgia, and so many others, that we needed to have multiple slates of electors and I think the U.S. Congress should have fought over it from there. That is the legitimate way to deal with an election that a lot of folks, including me, think had a lot of problems in 2020.” He has dismissed Trump’s role in the January 6 events, saying on CNN, “Look, Jan. 6 was a bad day. It was a riot. But the idea that Donald Trump endangered anyone’s lives when he told them to protest peacefully, it’s just absurd.”
Economy:
In his “Face the Nation” interview, Vance called for broad-based tariffs on imports, particularly from China, to protect American industries from unfair competition, which he attributes to slave labor rather than superior workers. He said, “…we need to apply some broad-based tariffs, especially on goods coming in from China and not just solar panels and EV stuff. We need to protect American industries from all of the competition. Because here- here’s the thing, Margaret, the reason China beats us, it’s not because they have better workers, it’s because they’re willing to use slaves–”
Environment:
While acknowledging climate change, Vance doubts its anthropogenic causes. He supports drilling for oil in the U.S. and criticizes the Biden administration for subsidizing alternative energy sources and demonizing reliable power sources. In a speech to the American Leadership Forum in 2022, he stated, “I’m skeptical of the idea that climate change is caused purely by man. It’s been changing, as others pointed out, it’s been changing for millennia…”
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Although Vance was not always a Trump supporter, his perspective has evolved. Initially “Never Trumper,” Vance criticized Trump harshly in 2016 calling him a “terrible candidate” and even saying he was “America’s Hitler.” However, he has since reversed his stance, praising Trump’s presidency and working diligently to secure his second term.
Former President Trump praised Vance in his announcement on TruthSocial, highlighting Vance’s military service, academic achievements, bestselling memoir, and business career. Trump emphasized Vance’s commitment to American workers and farmers and his dedication to upholding the Constitution and supporting the troops.
He wrote “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. J.D. honorably served our country in the Marine Corps, graduated from Ohio State University in two years, Summa Cum Laude, and is a Yale Law School graduate, where he was the editor of the Yale Law Journal and President of the Yale Law Veteran Association. J.D.’s book “Hillbilly Elegy” became a Major Best Seller and Movie as it championed the hard-working men and women of our country. J.D. has had a very successful business career in technology and finance, and now, during the campaign will be strongly focused on the people he fought so brilliantly for, the American workers and farmers in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Minnesota, and far beyond. As Vice President J.D. will continue to fight for our Constitution, stand with our troops and we’ll do everything he can to help me MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. Congratulations to Senator J.D. Vance, his wife, Usha who also graduated from Yale Law School and their three beautiful children. MAGA2024!”
As we approach the 2024 election, the choice of J.D. Vance as Trump’s running mate adds another layer of complexity to an already dynamic race. Vance’s background and clear positions on critical issues like immigration, abortion, Ukraine, and the economy will significantly influence the political landscape. As election season heats up, it’s essential to stay informed on all matters. Seek out the facts and form your own opinions. This platform aims to provide clear, unbiased information, empowering you to draw your own conclusions. Stay engaged, stay critical, and stay informed.
Questions to Consider After Reading:
Do you think J.D. Vance was a good choice for Trump’s VP?
Should Trump have chosen someone else? Why?
Is J.D. Vance the strongest candidate to help Donald Trump beat Joe Biden?
