Donald Trump has picked Senator James David Vance of Ohio, a once-fierce critic turned loyal ally, as his Republican running mate.
Trump unveiled his pick on Truth Social as supporters gathered in Milwaukee for the Republican Party convention, an extravaganza turbocharged by the attempted assassination of the former president.
“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 wrote on Truth Social.
Vance, 39, will represent a younger generation in an election that features Trump and President Joe Biden, 81, bringing a counterweight to the Democratic ticket that also includes Vice President Kamala Harris, 59.
The selection of Vance, author of the bestselling memoir “Hillbilly Elegy,” could also increase the odds of Trump supporters turning out for the November 5 election as the Ohio native is deeply popular with the Republican candidate’s base.
On the campaign trail, the former venture capitalist has also served as a bridge between Trump associates and wealthy Silicon Valley donors, many of whom have opened their wallets to Trump this election.
Vance has also delighted Trump supporters with his confrontational social media presence, a relative rarity in the Senate, where many lawmakers still try to maintain a sense of decorum and civility.
Moreover, several of Trump’s highest-profile backers – including former senior adviser Steve Bannon and Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr. – have praised Vance for pushing the Republican Party to embrace a more hands-off foreign policy approach and for supporting trade barriers.
While Vance is a staunch conservative from a Republican state, he is unlikely to bring many new voters into Trump’s corner, however, and may even alienate some moderates.
Some Trump supporters had pushed him to select a woman or person of colour as his vice president to expand a coalition that skews toward white men.
In selecting Vance, Trump has also passed over other possible contenders including US Senators Marco Rubio and Tim Scott and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum.
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