The meteoric rise of JD Vance: From 'Hillbilly Elegy' author to Trump's vice presidential nominee

By Kunal Dey
Published on : 02:15 PST, Jul 16, 2024

JD Vance has gone from being Donald Trump's critic to a senator and now former president's running mate (Getty Images)

JD Vance's journey: From 'Hillbilly Elegy' author to Trump's running mate

DELAWARE, OH - APRIL 23: J.D. Vance, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Ohio, arrives onstage — JD Vance was officially announced as Donald Trump's running mate for his 2024 run (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN: Over the past eight years, JD Vance has transformed remarkably from a bestselling author and Trump critic to a senator and now former President Trump's running mate. At 39, Vance would become the third-youngest vice president if the Trump-Vance ticket wins the White House in November. The Ohio senator has established himself as one of Trump's most aggressive and effective surrogates, with the Trump campaign hoping he will secure critical Rust Belt votes. Vance's meteoric rise is indeed noteworthy.

Roots in Ohio and military service

JD Vance enlisted in the Marine Corps and was deployed to Iraq in 2005 (Fox News/YouTube)

JD Vance hails from Middletown, Ohio. After completing high school, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and deployed to Iraq in 2005. Serving in a public affairs role, Vance later wrote that he was "lucky to escape any real fighting." He revealed that he learned he was sent to Iraq based on a lie, a realization that has influenced his anti-interventionist foreign policy stance.

Education and legal career

SUN VALLEY, ID - JULY 12: JD Vance, venture capitalist and author of 'Hillbilly Elegy,' attends the second day of the annual Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference, July 12, 2017 in Sun Valley, Idaho. Every July, some of the world's most wealthy and powerful businesspeople from the media, finance, technology and political spheres converge at the Sun Valley Resort for the exclusive weeklong conference. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) — JD Vance worked as a lawyer after his military service (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Following his military service, Vance pursued higher education in political science and philosophy at Ohio State University. He then attended Yale Law School, where he met his wife, Usha. After graduating in 2013, Vance worked for the corporate law firm Sidley Austin and various investment firms in California.

Rise to fame with 'Hillbilly Elegy'

JD Vance published his bestselling memoir 'Hillbilly Elegy' in 2016 (Amazon)

In 2016, Vance published his bestselling memoir, 'Hillbilly Elegy' which catapulted him into the national spotlight. The book, which portrayed the struggles of working-class white Americans, resonated during a time when Trump's political ascent was captivating the nation. During the 2016 campaign, Vance identified as a "Never Trump guy" and described Trump as "noxious," "reprehensible" and "an idiot."

Political ambitions and return to Ohio

CINCINNATI, OH - MAY 3: Republican U.S. Senate candidate J.D. Vance embraces his wife Usha Vance af — Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance with his wife Usha Vance (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

After the success of his book, Vance moved back to Ohio from California and began exploring political opportunities. He launched a venture capital fund aimed at supporting startups outside Silicon Valley, with significant investment from Peter Thiel, a prominent GOP donor who later became a key backer of Vance's Senate bid.

Shift in political stance and Senate bid

COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 08: Republican U.S. Senate candidate JD Vance speaks to supporters at an el — JD Vance has been a vocal opponent of Joe Biden's 2020 election win (Getty Images)

Vance's stance on Trump shifted dramatically as he became a vocal denier of President Biden's 2020 election victory, aligning himself with the "America First" conservative movement. He went on to secure Trump's endorsement for a 2022 Senate run and won the race by six points over Democrat Tim Ryan.

Ascendancy to VP nomination

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 15: Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. President Donald Trump (L) and Republican Vice Presidential candidate, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) appear on the first day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 15, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Delegates, politicians, and the Republican faithful are in Milwaukee for the annual convention, concluding with former President Donald Trump accepting his party's presidential nomination. The RNC takes place from July 15-18. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) — Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance appear on the first day of the Republican National Convention (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

As a member of the MAGA wing of the Senate GOP, Vance pounced at opportunities to appear alongside Trump at rallies and during the former president's trial in New York. His loyalty, ideological alignment, and friendship with Donald Trump Jr. helped propel him onto the shortlist for Trump's vice presidential nominee, Axios reported.

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