J.D. Vance VP pick won’t 'help secure Trump a particular state': expert

12 July 2024

With the 2024 Republican National Convention set to begin in Milwaukee this Monday, July 15, presumptive presidential nominee Donald Trump's running mate could be announced at any minute. Prominent Republicans who are reportedly on Trump's short list include Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida) and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.

Vance is the most overtly MAGA of the three, playing up Trumpian themes that critics have described as pseudo-populist. Burgum and Rubio's supporters, meanwhile, argue that their GOP establishment credentials could be helpful with swing and independent voters.

Vance, now 39, is a native of Middletown, Ohio. In a report for WSYX Channel 6 News in Columbus, journalist Bob Kendrick discusses Middletown voters' views on Vance possibly becoming Trump's running mate.

Dr. Paul Beck, an OCU political science professor, argues that "loyalty" is the main attribute that Vance would offer as a Trump running mate. The "Hillbilly Elegy" author was a scathing critic of Trump during the 2016 election and even identified as a Never Trumper, but these days, Vance is a staunch Trump loyalist.

Beck noted, however, that Vance wouldn't increase Trump's chances of winning Ohio — as the Buckeye State is already in the Trump column.

Beck told WSYX, "Vance does not bring Ohio with him. It's already there. Trump's going to win Ohio. And Vance, I think, is not a selection if he picks him for vice president. That is a selection designed to help secure Trump a particular state."

Middletown resident Tessa Tincher told WSYX that while she would like having Vance on the ticket, she will vote for Trump regardless of whether or not Vance is his running mate.

Tincher told WSYX, "I heard a lot of people talk about him, so he'll probably do good…. Of course, I'd like to get Biden out of here."

Read the full WSYX article at this link.

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