Donald Trump picked as his running mate Ohio Sen. JD Vance, a populist firebrand whose views align with Trump's protectionist "America First" trade and economic policies, and delegates to the Republican National Convention quickly ratified the choice by acclamation on Monday.
Within three hours of Trump's announcement on his Truth Social account Monday afternoon, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird announced Vance's nomination on the floor of the convention, which kicked off Monday in Milwaukee. Vance then emerged on the convention floor, shaking hands with delegates.
"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," Announcing on Truth Social, before listing some of Vance's credentials, including service as a Marine and a degree from Yale Law School.
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Vance is likely best known, however, for his memoir of growing up in Appalachia, "Hillbilly Elegy," which Trump noted was a bestseller and was turned into a movie.
"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," Trump said.
Vance's book appeared in 2016, detailing his struggles as a child dealing with difficult economic circumstances and a mother who was an addict. Netflix later made it into a movie.
Once a darling of liberals, Vance has received a 93% rating from Heritage Action Fund for this term, his first since being elected in 2022.
While Vance's agricultural pollicy experience is thin, some Ohio farmers said he has been a quick learner.
Duane Stateler, an Ohio farmer attending the convention who is president-elect of the National Pork Producers Council, told Agri-Pulse that he has helped Vance get up to speed on his industry's issues, with a focus on Proposition 12, the California initiative that regulates sow housing for pork sold in the state.
The Texas delegation tips their matching hats as all 161 votes are announced for Trump. “When he came in and started his political career he didn’t know much about agriculture..I was one that had the privilege to introduce him to our side,” Stateler said in an interview off the convention floor.
Vance has “been very willing to learn on anything that he doesn’t know about. And then once he gets into the groove, he’s been a strong supporter of our industry.”
A delegate to the convention and Ohio Farm Bureau member, Greg Simpson, told Agri-Pulse he thinks Vance will "do great." He said the GOP platform's call for an expansion of tariffs on goods coming into the U.S. will help create "an even playing field."
Fred Yoder, an Ohio farmer and former president of the National Corn Growers Association, said in an email to Agri-Pulse that he is "very familiar with the locations he grew up in, and the life he was faced with as he grew, which was no picnic.”
When Vance ran for Senate, Yoder said he was “surprised how well he answered questions, not from a lot of experience, but a real common sense approach, which is not always about your party's ideology.”
Yoder said he expected Vance to be a supporter of ethanol and biodiesel and the use of agricultural feedstocks for sustainable aviation fuel.
The Ohio Farm Bureau released a statement welcoming Vance's selection:
“From Day 1 as a Senator, Mr. Vance has been very attentive to Ohio Farm Bureau members, making himself accessible to them to discuss their concerns when it comes to issues that could have an impact on agriculture in Ohio or across the country. As a designated Friend of Agriculture by Ohio Farm Bureau members, Senator Vance grasps the issues facing our members and rural Ohioans and has made it clear, through his actions, that he is listening and that he cares.
"Above all, his views on agriculture policy align with that of our membership and when faced with an issue critical for farmers of all types, Mr. Vance has ensured our organization and our members have a seat at the table and has helped us deliver our message."
Trump supporters during the first official session at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Leslie Heinemann, a retired dentist who farms about 600 acres of corn and soybeans and is the Republican whip in the South Dakota House, told Agri-Pulse Vance is “definitely in the heart of agricultural country in Ohio…. I think he’ll be very supportive of the farmer side. We need some advocacy in Washington.”
Initial reaction from Republican lawmakers was positive as well.
South Dakota Sen. John Thune, who’s running to succeed Mitch McConnell as Republican leader, praised the Vance selection in a post on X. “I’ve seen his commitment to serving the American people firsthand. He will be a key partner to a Senate Republican majority in reversing the dangerous Biden-Schumer agenda,” Thune said.
Ohio Republican Rep. Max Miller also was pleased. "Ohio is proud to stand with President Trump and our great Senator JD Vance who will be an excellent Vice President for the next four years,” he said in a statement. “I have full confidence in Senator Vance and President Trump to turn this country around and Make America Great Again!”
Vance does not use punctuation for his first and middle names, James David.
Another Ohio Republican, Rep. Bob Latta, said on X, "Congratulations to my friend & fellow Ohioan, J.D. Vance, for being chosen by President Trump to be his running mate on the 2024 presidential ticket. As a U.S. Marine & U.S. Senator who has honorably served our great nation, J.D. is an excellent choice as our next Vice President!"
Biden campaign officials criticized Vance on a call with reporters Monday, linking him with the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, an action plan for a Trump presidency backed by dozens of conservative groups.
The crowd watches during the first official session at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. The plan includes controversial recommendations like repealing the USDA sugar program. It also suggests “ideally” scrapping the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs, or at least placing limitations on those payments.
“Trump picked JD Vance as his running mate because he will do what Mike Pence wouldn't on January 6: bend over backwards to enable Trump and his extreme MAGA agenda, even if it means breaking the law and certainly no matter the harm to the American people,” Biden campaign chair Jen O'Malley Dillon said.
The campaign hit Vance on a number of issues including abortion, infrastructure, Medicare and Social Security, and also slammed his vote against the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
“Vance thinks Americans should just live with crumbling infrastructure,” said Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., a member of the Biden campaign’s national advisory board, on the press call. “Trump spent four years promising it was infrastructure week and delivering nothing.”
The campaign said Vice President Kamala Harris is well-prepared to take on Vance in a debate if the Ohio senator is willing. In May, the Biden campaign accepted CBS News’ invitation for Harris to debate Trump's vice presidential pick, which the network said then could be either July 23 or Aug. 13.
“The debate is going to have two parts to it: It's how strong our vice president is and how good her economic issues are,” Warren said. “I'm looking forward to this debate.”
