So, who is this J.D. Vance? James David Vance, a sprightly 39-year-old, hails from Middletown, Ohio. He’s a Marine Corps veteran, an author, and a former venture capitalist. Since January 2023, he’s been representing Ohio in the U.S. Senate. Yes, he’s a Yale Law School grad and investment banker who skyrocketed to fame in 2016 with his memoir, Hillbilly Elegy, a bestseller that dives into the struggles of the white working class in Appalachia. The book, riddled with poverty, abuse, and addiction, also stirred up its fair share of critiques and was turned into a movie in 2020.
Vance didn’t stop there. He founded "Our Ohio Renewal," a nonprofit that aimed to tackle education and opioid addiction. But, surprise, it dissolved in less than two years. He then co-founded a venture capital firm in Cincinnati to fund startups in underserved cities. The man’s got range, if nothing else.
On the personal front, Vance is married to Usha Chilukuri Vance, a fellow Yale Law alum who’s clerked for Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., Judge Brett Kavanaugh, and Judge Amul Thapar. They have three kids. He may not add much diversity in terms of gender or race to the GOP ticket, but as a 39-year-old millennial, he certainly brings down the average age of the Trump camp.
Vance turns 40 on August 2, and if elected, he'd be one of the youngest vice presidents in U.S. history. So, buckle up, America. With J.D. Vance as Trump’s VP pick, we’re in for a wild ride.
