MILWAUKEE, WI — In a move that has surprised some political analysts and energized the Republican base, former President Donald Trump has announced J.D. Vance, the junior senator from Ohio and bestselling author of “Hillbilly Elegy,” as his running mate for the 2024 presidential election. The announcement was made at a rally in Youngstown, Ohio, where Trump praised Vance’s conservative credentials and connection to working-class Americans.
The decision was announced on Trump’s Truth Social, stating,
“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 Editor of The Yale Law Journal, and President of the Yale Law Veterans Association. J.D.’s book, “Hillbilly Elegy,” became a Major Best Seller and Movie, as it championed the hardworking 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.”
J.D. Vance, 40, has quickly risen to prominence within the GOP since his election to the Senate in 2022. A former venture capitalist and Marine veteran, Vance gained national attention with his 2016 memoir, which detailed his upbringing in a struggling Rust Belt community and offered insights into the socioeconomic challenges faced by many Americans. His book resonated with voters across the political spectrum and positioned him as a thoughtful voice on issues of economic disparity and cultural change.
Trump’s choice of Vance is seen by many as a strategic move to solidify his support among working-class voters and in key battleground states like Ohio.
The 2024 election is shaping up to be a pivotal moment in American politics, and the Trump-Vance ticket will undoubtedly be at the center of the national conversation.