COLUMBUS, Ohio — Former President Donald Trump selected Sen. JD Vance of Ohio to be his running mate for the 2024 presidential election.
Trump's decision of his running mate comes days after he was nearly killed in an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania.
Trump posted the announcement on Truth Social saying, “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.”
Vice presidents are the next in line to replace the president should they become incapacitated or killed — a situation that has come up numerous times throughout America's history. They are also seen as likely successors.
Former Vice President Mike Pence had presidential aspirations after serving with Trump in his first term. But Pence fell short against Trump in the 2024 primary as the former president looked to win the party's nomination for a third time in a row.
But should he win in November, Trump will be going out in his second and final term, opening the question of a future replacement as the party's figurehead. Many might turn to Vance as that figure, because of his age, background and closeness with Trump.
Who is JD Vance, Trump's running mate?
It was March 2022 and Senate candidate JD Vance was standing under hot lights in a Cleveland television studio debating four fellow Republicans on whether the U.S. should support a no-fly zone over Ukraine, not a month into its grinding war with Russia.
"Absolutely not," Vance said.
"I'm in the minority up here," the marine veteran added, "because, at the end of the day, we can accept as individuals, look, it's tragic, it's terrible. What Vladimir Putin did was wrong in invading a sovereign country on his border. But we have our own problems in the United States to focus on."
Vance was "putting America's priorities ahead of all else," his campaign said — and he caught Donald Trump's attention.
Within 25 days, the former president had endorsed Vance, helping the "Hillbilly Elegy" author and Yale-educated Silicon Valley venture capitalist defeated a crowded Republican field and ultimately Ohio's open Senate seat.
A relationship had been born that's now nudged Vance, 39, to a potential spot as the No. 2 leader of the country.