He has been chosen.
Former President Donald Trump has selected Senator JD Vance of Ohio as his vice-presidential candidate, marking a significant shift from Vance’s previous critical stance toward Trump. At 40, Vance represents a younger contrast to Trump, who is 78, and President Joe Biden, who is 81. If elected, Vance would become the third youngest vice president in U.S. history, following John Breckinridge and Richard Nixon. His selection comes shortly after an assassination attempt on Trump, highlighting the seriousness of this choice.
In his announcement, Trump praised Vance’s qualifications, noting his military background as a Marine Corps veteran and his alignment with Trump’s “America First” agenda. Vance has expressed views similar to Trump’s, including opposition to U.S. aid for Ukraine and resistance to Biden’s judicial nominees. Trump’s decision followed a thorough vetting process that included other potential candidates like North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum and Senator Marco Rubio.
Support for Vance has been vocal among Trump’s allies, including Donald Trump Jr. and pro-Trump activist Charlie Kirk. Trump Jr. described Vance as an excellent choice for the position. However, the Biden campaign criticized the pick, suggesting that Vance would support Trump’s extreme policies and legal maneuvers.
Vance, currently serving his first Senate term, would need to be replaced if elected as vice president. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine would appoint a temporary replacement, followed by a special election to complete Vance’s Senate term. Vance’s rise in politics has been notable since the publication of his memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy,” which detailed his challenging upbringing and gained widespread attention during Trump’s 2016 campaign.
Initially critical of Trump, Vance’s political stance evolved to align closely with Trump’s views. During his Senate campaign, Vance distanced himself from his past criticisms and embraced Trump’s support, which proved pivotal in his electoral success. The selection of Vance has strengthened ties with Trump’s inner circle, including his family, and sets the stage for potential debates with Vice President Kamala Harris, who has already reached out to Vance to congratulate him and express interest in a debate.
