JD Vance is an American politician and author serving as the 50th Vice President of the United States since 2025, under President
Donald Trump [1]. Prior to his role as Vice President, Vance served as a U.S. Senator representing Ohio from 2023 to 2025
[1]. He gained widespread recognition for his 2016 memoir,
Hillbilly Elegy, which explores themes of poverty, family, and social issues in the Appalachian region of the United States
[8].
Early life, military service, and education#
Born James David Vance, he later changed his name to J.D. Vance
[8]. Vance grew up in Middletown, Ohio, a town that experienced significant economic decline
[4]. His family's roots were in the Appalachian region
[8]. He faced a challenging childhood, which he has written and spoken about extensively
[4].
Vance enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served in the Iraq War
[1]. His military experience significantly influenced his perspective and provided him with opportunities for further education
[1]. After his military service, Vance attended Ohio State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree
[1]. He then pursued a law degree at Yale Law School
[1].
Early career#
After graduating from Yale, Vance worked in the technology
industry [1]. He moved to San Francisco and worked for a venture capital firm
[1]. Later, Vance returned to Ohio and became involved in various projects aimed at revitalizing the state's economy
[1].
Our Ohio Renewal#
Vance founded Our Ohio Renewal, a non-profit organization focused on addressing the opioid crisis and promoting economic development in Ohio
[1]. The organization aimed to provide resources and support to communities struggling with addiction and unemployment
[1].
AppHarvest#
Vance was also involved with AppHarvest, a company focused on sustainable agriculture
[1]. The company aimed to build large-scale indoor farms in Appalachia, creating jobs and providing fresh produce to the region
[1].
U.S. Senate (2023–2025)#
In 2022, Vance ran for the U.S. Senate seat in Ohio
[1]. He won the Republican primary and subsequently defeated his Democratic opponent in the general election
[1].
2022 campaign#
Vance's Senate campaign focused on issues such as the economy, immigration, and cultural values
[1]. He presented himself as a conservative voice for Ohioans
[1]. His campaign was marked by significant attention and scrutiny, given his prior writings and public statements
[1].
Tenure#
During his time in the Senate, Vance focused on issues he had highlighted during his campaign
[1]. Specific details of his legislative activities and policy initiatives during his Senate tenure are not available in the provided source.
Committee assignments#
Specific details regarding Vance's committee assignments during his time in the Senate are not available in the provided source.
2024 presidential election#
In 2024, Donald Trump selected JD Vance as his running mate for the presidential election
[1].
Vice-presidential campaign#
Vance actively campaigned alongside Trump, articulating the administration's policies and vision
[1].
Information regarding specific comments made by Vance on childlessness are not available in the provided sources. Information regarding specific comments made by Vance on Haitian immigrants are not available in the provided sources.
Vice-presidential debate#
Details regarding Vance's performance and arguments in the vice-presidential debate are not available in the provided sources.
Opinion polls#
Specific data on opinion polls related to Vance's performance as a vice-presidential candidate are not available in the provided sources.
Vice presidency (2025–present)#
Vance assumed the office of Vice President of the United States on January 20, 2025
[1][4].
Munich Security Conference#
Information regarding Vance's participation and activities at the Munich Security Conference is not available in the provided sources.
Zelenskyy White House visit#
Information regarding specific details of President Zelenskyy's White House visit and Vance's involvement are not available in the provided sources.
Political positions#
Vance is generally considered a conservative
[1]. During his Senate run, he focused on economic nationalism, border security, and cultural issues
[1].
Personal life#
Vance is married to Usha Vance
[4]. They have children
[8]. He maintains an active presence on social media, including Instagram and X
[2][6].
During the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Vance was booed by some in the crowd when he was shown on the stadium's Jumbotron
[3][5][7].
