On Monday, Donald Trump announced J.D. Vance, the Republican U.S. senator from Ohio, as his vice-presidential candidate, marking a significant shift for a politician who previously criticized the former president but has since become one of his most ardent supporters. The announcement was made on Trump's Truth Social platform during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, which aims to nominate the party's presidential candidate.
James David Vance, known for his bestselling memoir 'Hillbilly Elegy', might boost voter turnout among Trump supporters in the November 5 election, given his deep popularity within the Republican base in Ohio. However, as a conservative from a Republican state, Vance is not expected to attract many new voters to Trump's campaign and could potentially alienate some moderate voters. Some Trump supporters had advocated for a woman or a person of color as his running mate to broaden the coalition that predominantly includes white men.
Trump, aged 78, recently survived an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania, with the gunman's motives still unclear. Several prominent Trump supporters, including former senior adviser Steve Bannon and Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., have commended Vance for advocating a more hands-off foreign policy and supporting trade barriers. Vance's confrontational social media presence, uncommon in the Senate, has also endeared him to Trump's base.
At 39, Vance represents a younger generation in an election that includes Trump and President Joe Biden, 81, providing a balance to the Democratic ticket, which includes Vice President Kamala Harris, 59. Trump overlooked other potential candidates such as U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Tim Scott, and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum in choosing Vance.
Vance's political rise has been unconventional. After a challenging childhood in southern Ohio, he served in the Marine Corps, attended Yale Law School on a scholarship, and later worked as a venture capitalist in San Francisco. His prominence grew after the publication of 'Hillbilly Elegy', which delved into the socioeconomic issues facing his hometown and the cycle of poverty in the Appalachian region.
Initially critical of Trump, Vance later became one of his staunchest defenders, even downplaying the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack and echoing Trump's criticisms of the Justice Department's handling of the rioters. Vance has also supported Trump's stance on reducing aid to Ukraine, contrasting with many Republican leaders.
Despite these alignments, some Trump associates question the wisdom of selecting Vance, particularly those who preferred a more diverse vice-presidential candidate. While Trump and Biden are nearly tied in national polls, Trump lags significantly behind among women and Black Americans. Additionally, there are concerns about removing Vance from the Senate, where Democrats currently hold a slim majority.
Ohio, traditionally a Republican stronghold in presidential elections, occasionally elects Democrats in other races. Vance secured his Senate seat in 2022 by a narrow margin.
