39 Things About Trump’s Running Mate Pence

On July 15, former President Donald Trump announced that he has selected Senator J.D. Vance from Ohio as his vice presidential running mate, putting an end to months of speculation. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated, “After much deliberation and considering the great talents of many others, I have decided that the best person to serve as America’s Vice President is Senator J.D. Vance.”

J.D. Vance is a Senator from Ohio, a bestselling author, and the first millennial to participate in a major party campaign. Based on Vance’s published works and interviews, here are 39 things to know about this Republican who is running as the former president’s ticket mate.

1. He is 39 years old.
J.D. Vance was born on August 2, 1984. Turning 40 this August, he will be one of the youngest vice presidential candidates in history.

2. He is a Catholic.
Vance grew up in the Protestant faith but later converted to Catholicism, officially becoming a Catholic in August 2019.

3. His wife is Usha Chilukuri Vance.
Vance’s wife, Usha Chilukuri Vance, is a corporate litigation attorney whom he met at Yale Law School. They got married in 2014.

Usha currently works as a corporate litigation attorney, previously serving as a clerk for Chief Justice John Roberts and then-Appellate Judge Brett Kavanaugh.

She could potentially be the first spouse of a Vice President with an Indian heritage and the first woman of color to serve as Second Lady.

4. The couple has three children.
Vance and Usha have three children: Ewan, 7, Vivek, 4, and Mirabel, 2.

5. He is seen as a conservative populist.
Vance is often regarded as a conservative populist. His political stance often aligns with former President Trump, Senator Josh Hawley, and supporters of the Freedom Caucus.

In an interview in December 2023, he expressed his desire to steer the Republican Party towards more support for the working class, using the support garnered from working-class individuals like former President Trump.

(Continued in next comment)