Vances of Breathitt County, Ky. Who is J.D. Vance and his 'Hillbilly Elegy' Appalachia ties
Ohio Senator JD Vance is the biggest name of the Republican National Convention after presidential candidate Donald Trump unveiled the man with Kentucky connection in Appalachia as his vice presidential running mate.
The majority of Americans didn't know who the Republicans' vice presidential candidate was. Nearly 60% claimed not to know enough about Vance to have an opinion of him, good or bad, according to USA Today.
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Here's your chance to get to know Trump's vice presidential selection:
Who is Trump VP pick JD Vance?
JD Vance is the Ohio Senator selected by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump to run as his vice presidential running mate in his 2024 bid to serve as the next commander and chief.
Is Ohio Senator JD Vance from Middleton, Ohio?
JD Vance's political website at vance.senate.gov states he was born and raised in Middletown, Ohio.
Was JD Vance born in the Breathitt County, Ky. county seat of Jackson?
In his best-selling 2016 memoir, Vance mentioned growing up in Jackson, Kentucky and Middletown, Ohio. He described a childhood consumed by both poverty and abuse.
Vance's mother struggled with drug addiction, so he spent many of his formative years with his grandmother – known to him as Mamaw.
Vance's grandparents left Kentucky for Ohio – motivated by economic opportunity and a pregnancy scandal, Vance writes in his book – and briefly lived in Dayton before setting in Middletown. He spent much of his childhood in Middletown, but also lived in Preble County and other parts of Ohio.
Vance's grandparents lived in Jackson before moving to Ohio, and Vance spent his summers visiting his extended family there.
What is JD Vance's 'Hillbilly Elegy'?
"Hillbilly Elegy" is a book written by Ohio Senator JD Vance in 2016. There were mixed responses to the book and his memoirs were turned into a movie.
JD Vance's Kentucky ties: Appalachia controversy explained
How to watch 'Hillbilly Elegy' movie?
"Hillbilly Elegy" was made into a movie by Netflix, and is only available through the streaming platform. The service offers three subscription options:
Standard with ads: $6.99 per month
Standard without ads: $15.49 per month
Premium without ads: $22.99 per month.
Did Trump VP pick JD Vance give an RNC speech?
Yes, JD Vance spoke at the Republican National Convention on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, according to USA Today.
"Some people tell me I’ve lived the American Dream, and, of course, they're right," the Ohio senator said. "But the American Dream that always counted most was not starting a business or becoming a senator or even being here with you fine people, although it's pretty awesome. It was becoming a good husband and a good dad, and of giving my family the things I never had as a kid.
"And that’s the accomplishment I’m proudest of."
Watch Trump VP pick JD Vance's RNC speech
How old is JD Vance? What is his age?
JD Vance was born on Aug. 2, 1984, and is 39 years old. If elected, Vance would be the youngest vice president since Richard Nixon.
Was JD Vance a marine in the US military?
Yes, JD Vance joined the Marines Corp in 2003 after high school and served in Iraq as a public affairs Marine, according to USA Today. In fact, he would be the first veteran to be on a major party ticket since John McCain in 2008 and first post-9/11 veteran to ever do so. He'd also be the youngest vice president since the Civil War.
Who is JD Vance's wife?
JD Vance's wife is Usha Vance ? a litigator for a law firm based in San Francisco and Washington, D.C. The couple met at Yale Law School and married one year after graduating in 2014.
Does JD Vance's family include children?
Yes, JD Vance has three young children ? Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel.
Who are JD Vance's parents? Who is his mom?
JD Vance's parents are Beverly Vance and Donald Bowman, according to his memoir. They are from Jackson, Ky., a city of around 2,100 people in the Appalachian region. Vance's mother struggled with drug addiction, so he spent many of his formative years with his grandmother – known to him as Mamaw.
His mom is 10 years sober, according to Vance.
What is JD Vance's net worth?
JD Vance's net worth is $5 million, according to celebritynetworth.com.
What is JD Vance's religion?
JD Vance was baptized into the Catholic Church about 5 years ago, according to USA Today.
JD Vance's religion: Will JD Vance's religious background sway Catholic voters? What experts say.
Chris Sims is a digital content producer for Midwest Connect Gannett. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisFSims.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Who is JD Vance? Ky. roots? From Ohio Senator to RNC speech as Trump's VP