JD Vance to describe difficult upbringing in RNC acceptance speech

Ohio Sen. JD Vance will recount his journey from poverty to the vice-presidential nomination during his primetime speech at the Republican National Convention tonight.

Vance is expected to share how he grew up with a mother addicted to drugs and no constant father figure in his life, according to a source familiar with his prepared remarks. That story is outlined in his memoir “Hillbilly Elegy,” which thrust Vance into the national spotlight during the 2016 election cycle.

Vance will share how his upbringing informed his views on key campaign issues, including trade, immigration and the fentanyl crisis, the source said.

In announcing his running mate, Trump said the senator will help his campaign reach Rust Belt voters, particularly in the battleground states of Pennsylvania and Michigan.

What Vance has said about his childhood

Soon after Vance's birth in 1984, his parents divorced, according to his memoir. When he was 6 years old, his father gave him up for adoption. Vance moved around Ohio and lived with different family members throughout his youth. In "Hillbilly Elegy" Vance recalled punching his stepdad to break up a fight between the couple.

Vance's mother became addicted to prescription drugs and later heroin. Police arrested her after she threatened to crash her car with Vance inside. At one point, when Vance's mom asked him to give her a clean urine sample she could use for a drug test, his grandmother insisted he move in with her.

Vance later joined the Marines Corps, attended Ohio State University, and got a law degree at Yale, where he met his wife, Usha.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: JD Vance to discuss childhood in RNC speech