Former President Donald Trump has picked Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance as his running mate, placing a young, ideological ally alongside him on the Republican 2024 ticket.
Trump announced Vance would be his running mate on Monday, writing on Truth Social that the Ohio Republican is “the person best suited to assume the position of Vice President of the United States.”
The decision caps off months of speculation and sees Trump elevate a 39-year-old first-term senator whose roughly year and a half tenure in the Senate has seen him emerge as a staunch ideological ally of the former president.
“As Vice President, J.D. will continue to fight for our Constitution, stand with our Troops, and will do everything he can to help me MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
The Trump campaign wasted no time promoting the former president’s pick, posting an ad on social media featuring a montage of Vance praising Trump.
“I am proud that I have been an ally of Donald Trump’s in Washington, D.C.,” Vance says in one of the clips in the ad.
The campaign is also fundraising off of the announcement, saying he “always knew” he “needed” Vance on his side.
President Joe Biden’s campaign released a statement on Vance being named Trump’s vice presidential pick, slamming Vance as someone who will further Trump’s “extreme MAGA agenda.”
“Donald Trump picked J.D. Vance as his running mate because Vance will do what Mike Pence wouldn’t on January 6: bend over backwards to enable Trump and his extreme MAGA agenda, even if it means breaking the law and no matter the harm to the American people,” Biden Campaign Chair Jen O’Malley Dillon wrote in a statement.
Sen. JD Vance speaks to reporters in the spin room following the CNN Presidential Debate between President Joe Biden and Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump, June 27, 2024, in Atlanta.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Vance rose to fame through his 2016 book, “Hillbilly Elegy.” He evolved from a “never-Trump guy” to one of Trump’s strongest surrogates in an eight-year span.
Vance was born in Middleton, Ohio, and served in the Marine Corps. He later attended Ohio State University and eventually graduated from Yale Law School.
He was a corporate lawyer and then worked in the tech industry as a venture capitalist.
In 2016, Vance released his memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy,” which shared his story of growing up in poverty in America’s Rust Belt and being surrounded by violence and addiction.
Vance eventually became an emissary between the media and those in the Rust Belt during the 2016 election, discussing the issues important to those who had a similar background to him.
During this time, Vance made his disdain for Trump clear, saying he was a “never-Trump guy” in an interview with Charlie Rose in 2016.
In August 2016, he told ABC News that he didn’t see Trump “offering many solutions.”
But Vance would eventually align with the former president, praising his time in office and apologizing for his attacks on him during an interview with Fox News in July 2021.
“I’ve been very open about the fact that I did say those critical things, and I regret them, and I regret being wrong about the guy,” Vance said on Fox News in 2021.
His apology came around the same time Vance entered the race for the open Ohio Senate seat, which became one of the most competitive GOP primaries of the 2022 election cycle. Trump endorsed Vance for the job, which helped him win both the primary election and general election against Ohio Democrat Tim Scott.
In his role as senator, some of his most notable work has been responding to the East Palestine train derailment in his home state. He has also stayed true to his tough conservative brand, including opposing aid to Ukraine.
In 2024, Vance has been a reliable surrogate for Trump — appearing at campaign events, defending him in television appearances and helping the former president raise money for his campaign.
ABC News’ Soorin Kim, Lalee Ibssa, Kelsey Walsh and Sarah Beth Hensley contributed to this report.
Former Marine and bestselling author JD Vance has been chosen as former President Donald Trump’s running mate for the 2024 election. Vance, who gained national attention with his memoir “Hillbilly Elegy,” is seen as a rising star in the Republican Party and a potential candidate for higher office.
Vance’s selection as Trump’s running mate comes as no surprise to political analysts, as he has been a vocal supporter of the former president and his policies. In his book, Vance discusses his upbringing in a working-class family in Ohio and the struggles he faced growing up in a Rust Belt town. His personal story resonated with many Americans who felt left behind by the political establishment, making him a popular figure among Trump supporters.
Vance’s background as a Marine and his experience working in Silicon Valley also give him a unique perspective on issues such as national security and the economy. His focus on issues affecting working-class Americans has made him a favorite among conservative voters who feel that their voices are not being heard in Washington.
As Trump’s running mate, Vance is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the campaign and appeal to a broader base of voters. His ability to connect with voters on a personal level and his commitment to conservative principles make him a strong choice for the Republican ticket.
However, Vance’s selection is not without controversy. Some critics have raised concerns about his lack of political experience and his close ties to Trump, who remains a divisive figure in American politics. Others have questioned his stance on issues such as immigration and healthcare, which could alienate moderate voters.
Despite these challenges, Vance’s selection as Trump’s running mate signals a shift in the Republican Party towards a more populist and outsider-driven approach. With his compelling personal story and strong conservative values, Vance has the potential to energize the Republican base and attract new supporters to the party.
As the 2024 election approaches, all eyes will be on JD Vance as he embarks on this new chapter in his political career. Whether he can help lead the Republican Party to victory remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: his candidacy will be one to watch in the coming months.
