Born in August 1984 as James Donald Bowman, James David Vance, Senator representing Ohio, has been selected as Donald Trump’s running mate for the 2024 presidential election, marking a rapid ascent in his political career and thrusting him onto the national stage.
Though he was once vehemently averse to Trump and his ideologies, he is now one of his strongest supporters. Here are some things to know about his journey:Â
1. Political career: Vance entered politics recently, winning his Senate seat in 2022. Despite his short tenure, he’s quickly become a prominent figure in the Republican Party.
2. Literary success: His 2016 memoir “Hillbilly Elegy” became a New York Times bestseller and was later adapted into a Netflix film. The book explores his upbringing in Middletown, Ohio, and the challenges faced by working-class families in the Rust Belt.
3. Educational and professional background: Vance graduated from Ohio State University and Yale Law School. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and worked as a principal in a Silicon Valley investment firm founded by Peter Thiel.
4. Family life: He’s married to Usha Vance, a former law clerk to Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. They have three children.
5. Evolving political stance: Vance was initially critical of Trump, comparing him to Hitler in 2016. However, he later became a strong supporter, embracing Trump’s populist agenda and receiving his endorsement in the 2022 Senate race.
6. Controversial statements: He’s known for provocative comments, including criticizing U.S. aid to Ukraine and suggesting that childless people shouldn’t have as much political power as parents.
7. Age record: If elected, Vance would be the second-youngest vice president in U.S. history, after John C. Breckinridge who took office at 36.
Selecting Vance means he would push for some causes he has been passionate about over the years, especially since he flipped to the Republican side. Vance advocates for stricter border control and immigration, and he has issues with US involvement in foreign conflicts especially the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war where the US supplies aid to the latter.
He is also critical of big tech companies and supports protectionist trade policies that sopport investments in American companies, especially manufacturing.
