Trump formally nominated, announces Sen. J.D. Vance as VP running mate
On the opening night of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, former President Donald J. Trump received the nomination for a third time in a row to represent the GOP as its nominee for U.S. President.
Trump on Monday (July 15) selected U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, as his running mate for vice-president. Once a former critic of Trump, Vance was picked by the former President to share the national ticket in 2024.
“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,” Trump said in making the announcement on social media. “As Vice President, J.D. will continue to fight for our Constitution, stand with our Troops, and will do everything he can to help me MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.”
Vance, 39, is married and a father of three. He is Yale-educated and the author of the bestselling book, “Hillbilly Elegy,” which chronicles his poor upbringing in rural Kentucky. He has previously criticized Trump, once suggesting that Trump could be “America’s Hitler,” but has since become a fervent supporter. Vance was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2022 and received Trump’s endorsement after the two became more acquainted and put aside past differences.
By choosing Vance, Trump reportedly passed over other contenders, including U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Tim Scott and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum. Arkansas U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton and Gov. Sarah Sanders – both of whom are slated to speak at the convention this week – received mentions in the national press over the past few months as a potential Trump running mate.
The last 48 hours have been at a torrid pace for Trump. On Saturday, he survived an assassination attempt that injured his right ear at a Pennsylvania rally. Convicted in late May on 34 felony counts in a hush money case involving porn star Stormy Daniels, Trump earned a reprieve from Judge Aileen Cannon in a separate legal battle in Florida over his alleged mishandling of classified documents after he left the White House in 2021.
Cannon dismissed the case on Monday in a 93-page ruling, declaring that special counsel Jack Smith’s appointment violated the appointments clause of the U.S. Constitution. While an appeal is likely, it delays the high-profile case for months and could signal the end of the case should Trump win the election in November and order the charges dismissed.
Trump appeared with Vance on the GOP convention floor Monday night with a white bandage over his right ear, a reminder of his close call on Saturday evening in Bethel Park, Pa.
New polling suggests Trump is widening a small lead in several swing states crucial to President Joe Biden’s re-election. Calls for Biden to step down as the Democratic nominee were heightened over the past two weeks after a poor debate performance against Trump in June.
Vance, who served with the U.S. Marine Corps, is seen as a strong running mate for the ticket as he hails from the Midwest and can appeal to blue-collar voters that are important to Trump’s election bid.