COLUMBUS, Ohio — State Republican leaders are offering up their congratulations to JD Vance, a U.S. Senator from Ohio, after he was selected as former president Donald Trump’s running mate.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, who was in attendance at the Republican National Convention, issued a statement Monday, saying that Trump made a great choice.
“A son of Middletown, Ohio, J.D. can relate to the many Americans who are struggling right now to make ends meet in this era of crushing inflation, and a housing market that is unaffordable and shutting many out of a chance at achieving the American dream. J.D. also knows that securing our border is imperative,” DeWine said. "President Trump has made a great choice and Senator Vance will be a great partner as they campaign together this fall."
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost echoed DeWine, calling Vance a “perfect pick.”
"He knows what it's like to have to fight, what it's like to win, and what it's like to serve,” Yost said.
Former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy said he was proud of his "friend, classmate, and fellow southwest Ohioan."
"We used to watch Bengals games at the bar in law school, it's awesome we're now here a decade later with JD joining the strongest presidential ticket in our lifetime. He'll be an outstanding Vice President and I look forward to everything ahead for him and for our country," Ramaswamy posted on X.
While Democratic US Senator Sherrod Brown, from Ohio, has not yet released a statement about the selection, he posted a statement to Facebook during the Republican National Convention nomination ceremony for Vance saying, "Ohio is the most important state in 2024."
Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, a Democrat, provided the following statement to 10TV on the Republican vice president nominee.
“Senator J.D. Vance has shifted from openly expressing his disdain for Trump, once referring to him as 'America’s Hitler' and declaring he was 'never a Trump guy,' to now joining him on the ticket. The policies endorsed by Senator Vance have been detrimental not only to Ohio but to the entire country," said Beatty. "The list is extensive, starting with attacks on reproductive freedom and continuing with assaults on diversity, equity, and inclusion. He supports a nationwide ban on abortion and opposes exceptions for rape and incest survivors, saying 'two wrongs don't make a right' and labeling those circumstances as 'inconvenient.' Just this June, he introduced the Dismantle DEI Act to eliminate all federal diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and funding. The Senator’s claims and actions are filled with irony, extremism, and falsehoods. Trump’s choice of J.D. Vance and their alignment with the extreme right-wing Project 2025 manifesto should alert American voters to the foreseeable future if these two are elected."