MILWAUKEE (AP) — JD Vance is expected to aid Donald Trump in winning the Midwest this autumn.
However, shortly after the announcement of the Ohio senator as Trump’s vice presidential choice on Monday, it became evident that Vance, a 39-year-old Republican with less than two years in Congress, is not widely known among many in his party, even in the swing states critical for Trump’s success.
Pete Hoekstra, Michigan Republican Party Chairman, expressed his unfamiliarity with Trump’s pick almost immediately: “We don’t know him.”
“If he comes from Ohio, he should be familiar with our state and other northern battlegrounds,” Hoekstra commented at the Republican National Convention. “But we haven’t had the opportunity to assess him yet.”
Trump’s team now has less than four months to raise Vance’s profile in the crucial states for the upcoming election against Democratic President Joe Biden. Various political opponents from both parties are already working to highlight Vance’s lack of governmental experience, his nationalist viewpoints, and his critical remarks about Trump himself.
“I’m not sure he aids in the campaign,” noted veteran Republican pollster Neil Newhouse, suggesting Vance might be more valuable in helping Trump push his agenda in Congress if given the chance. “He’s not that well-known even in Ohio. … This isn’t a campaign pick. It’s a policy pick, a governing pick.”
Despite the criticism, Trump went ahead with his decision based on a different set of criteria.
Trump was particularly impressed by Vance’s appearances on television, where he became a regular on conservative media. The former president also appreciated Vance’s looks, comparing him to “a young Abraham Lincoln.”
Trump is hopeful that Vance can use his background of growing up in Appalachia to connect with Midwestern voters. Vance’s firsthand experiences with poverty and addiction set him apart from other leading Republican figures.
Vance also fostered a strong connection with Trump, his son Donald Trump Jr., and prominent MAGA figures during his rapid ascension in Republican politics.
Vance, an Ivy League-educated author, former Marine, and businessman, has been known for his tough questioning of Biden administration officials.
Despite the challenges, Vance is joining the Trump presidential ticket as a bit of a mystery to many voters and elected officials.
Associated Press writers Seung Min Kim in Washington and Bill Barrow and Jill Colvin in Milwaukee contributed to this report.
Follow the AP’s coverage of the 2024 election at https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024.
