From Trump critic to VP pick: The unexpected journey of JD Vance
Ohioʼs blue-collar senator **JD Vance** made an unlikely shift from Trump opponent to running mate. His path from Rust Belt roots to potential vice-president shows how fast politics can change
About eight years ago JD Vance wrote a book that changed his life - a story about growing up poor in Ohio that made him famous. Back then he wasnt a Trump fan at all; actually he really didnt like him
I was wrong about Donald Trump
The forty-year old senator from Ohio - who grew up in a tough home with a mom fighting drug problems - is now Trumps pick for vice president (announced at the Milwaukee GOP meeting last summer). Its quite a change for someone who used to call Trump bad names
- Marine Corps veteran
- Yale Law School grad
- Made money in Silicon Valley
- Moved back to Ohio for politics
- Got Trumpʼs support in 22 Senate race
His friend Donald Trump Jr helped him get closer to the ex-president‚ and now they work well together. His wife Usha (whos got Indian roots) and their three small kids are part of what he calls his pro-family ideas
The Trump team thinks Vance can talk to both factory workers and college grads: hes got the steel-town background but also went to fancy schools. Hes changed some old views - now he doesnt like sending money to Ukraine and isnt sure about the 2020 vote count
Peter Thiel‚ a rich tech guy who likes the GOP helped Vance get started in business‚ and now Vance helps get money from Silicon Valley folks for Trumpʼs campaign. Even with his beard (which Trump usually doesnt like) the ex-president picked him as the best person for VP
