MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — JD Vance will join Donald Trump in the White House as his vice president.
Decision Desk HQ projected Trump to be re-elected early Wednesday morning, and he is bringing the Middletown native with him. At 40, Vance will become the highest-ranking member of the millennial generation in government.
During a victory speech that took place after 2 a.m. Wednesday morning, Trump congratulated Vance, calling him "a feisty guy."
At Trump's encouragement, Vance spoke briefly, thanking Trump for bringing him on what he called an "incredible journey."
"Under President Trump's leadership, we're never going to stop fighting for you, for your dreams, for the future of your children and after the greatest political comeback in American history we are going to lead the greatest economic comeback in American history under Donald Trump leadership," said Vance.
Vance also tweeted his gratitude Wednesday morning, thanking his wife, Trump and the voters.
THANK YOU!
— JD Vance (@JDVance) November 6, 2024
To my beautiful wife for making it possible to do this.
To President Donald J. Trump, for giving me such an opportunity to serve our country at this level.
And to the American people, for their trust. I will never stop fighting for ALL of you.
There were mixed but strong opinions about the presidential election victory on Wednesday in Middletown.
"I think it's going to go down in history. I mean, just think about it," said David Bailey, who went to the same high school as Vance. "We've got a man from Middletown born and raised here in the White House."
While the pavement was damp and the skyline gloomy in the city's downtown, the sun was shining for some.
"Yes it's a bright day," Bailey said. "It's great for this town, and yeah, we're real proud of him."
"I think it's a great thing for everyone in Middletown, especially for the children," Middletown resident Avinne Kiser said. "To know that, no matter where you grow up in our city ... that opportunity is here."
While some beamed with hometown pride, others said they were embarrassed to share a hometown with Vance following a 2024 presidential campaign full of controversy.
"I'm not surprised but I believe it's unfortunate in this case," said another resident, Fergie. "And in the end, human rights unfortunately lost — for now. But it's always darkest before the dawn."
The Middletown native and "Hillbilly Elegy" author was endorsed by Trump during his run for the Ohio Senate, though the pair's relationship has occasionally been rocky.
Trump boosted Vance's career, and Vance has returned the favor by unceasingly defending Trump's policies and behavior. His debating skills, ability to articulate Trump's vision and fundraising prowess were assets for the campaign.
Vance returned to Cincinnati to cast his vote on Election Day. He arrived at St. Anthony Padua Church on Victory Parkway Tuesday morning to vote, along with his wife and children. He then addressed members of the media outside of the precinct after he cast his ballot.
"Look, I feel good," said Vance.
He added that he believes Trump's policies "are going to promote peace and prosperity for our citizens."
Trump announced Vance as his VP pick back in the middle of July, just before the Republican National Convention kicked off in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
"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 from the Great State of Ohio," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
It's far from where Vance's relationship with Trump started. His best-selling book gained Vance a reputation as a “Trump whisperer” able to help explain the maverick New York businessman's appeal in middle America, but Vance was a never-Trumper in 2016. He called Trump “dangerous” and “unfit” for office. Vance, whose wife, lawyer Usha Chilukuri Vance, is Indian-American and the mother of their three children, also criticized Trump's racist rhetoric, saying he could be “America's Hitler.”
But not everyone sees the book — later adapted into a Ron Howard-directed film, starring Glenn Close and Amy Adams — that way. It ignited criticism from scholars across Appalachia, many of whom said it trafficked in cheap stereotypes and failed to diagnose the origins of the region's troubled history or offer workable policy solutions.
