JD Vance facts for kids

Quick facts for kids JD Vance
Official portrait, 2025
50th Vice President of the United States
Incumbent
Assumed office January 20, 2025
President	Donald Trump
Preceded by	Kamala Harris
Finance Chair of the Republican National Committee
Incumbent
Assumed office March 18, 2025
Preceded by	Duke Buchan
United States Senator from Ohio
In office January 3, 2023 – January 10, 2025
Preceded by	Rob Portman
Succeeded by	Jon Husted
Personal details
Born	James Donald Bowman (1984-08-02) August 2, 1984 (age 40) Middletown, Ohio, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Usha Chilukuri ​ (m. 2014)​
Children	3
Relatives	Nate Vance (cousin)
Residence	Number One Observatory Circle
Education	Ohio State University (BA) Yale University (JD)
Signature
Military service
Branch/service	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	2003–2007
Rank	Corporal
Unit	2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
Battles/wars	Iraq War
Awards	Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
Writing career
Genre	Memoir
Notable works	Hillbilly Elegy

James David Vance (born James Donald Bowman, August 2, 1984) is an American politician, author, and lawyer. He is currently the 50th vice president of the United States. Vance is a member of the Republican Party. Before becoming Vice President, he served as a U.S. Senator for Ohio from 2023 to 2025. As Vice President, he also helps lead the Republican National Committee.

Vance grew up in Middletown, Ohio. He served in the United States Marine Corps and was a military journalist during the Iraq War. After his military service, he earned degrees from Ohio State University and Yale Law School. He worked as a lawyer and investor before writing his popular book, Hillbilly Elegy, in 2016. This book helped him gain national attention.

Vance was first against Donald Trump in the 2016 election but later became a strong supporter. He won the 2022 Senate election in Ohio. In July 2024, Donald Trump chose Vance to be his running mate for the 2024 presidential election. Trump and Vance won the election, becoming President and Vice President. Vance is the first person from the Millennial generation to be Vice President. He is also the third-youngest Vice President in U.S. history.

Early Life and Education

Vance was born James Donald Bowman on August 2, 1984, in Middletown, Ohio. He was raised there in an Appalachian American family. His parents divorced when he was very young. Vance wrote in his book that he faced challenges growing up, and he was mainly raised by his grandparents, James and Bonnie Vance. He called them "Papaw" and "Mamaw."

After finishing Middletown High School in 2003, Vance joined the United States Marine Corps. He worked as a military journalist and was sent to the Iraq War in 2005. He served for four years and reached the rank of corporal. He received awards like the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.

In 2007, Vance left the military and used the G.I. Bill to attend Ohio State University. He graduated in 2009 with a degree in political science and philosophy. In 2010, he went to Yale Law School. While there, he started writing his memoir, Hillbilly Elegy. He graduated from Yale Law School in 2013.

Early Career and Writing

Vance (then Hamel) in the U.S. Marine Corps, 2003

After law school, Vance worked for a senator and as a lawyer. He then moved into the technology industry as an investor. In 2016, his book, Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis, was published. The book talks about his upbringing and the challenges faced by people in the Appalachian region.

Hillbilly Elegy became a bestselling book. It helped Vance become well-known and led to him writing for The New York Times. In 2017, he joined an investment firm called Revolution LLC. He worked on a project to invest in growing businesses outside of major tech hubs like Silicon Valley.

In 2017 and 2018, Vance was a contributor for CNN. His book was also made into a film, Hillbilly Elegy, which was released in 2020. Vance also helped start a conservative political group called Rockbridge Network and a venture capital firm called Narya Capital.

Our Ohio Renewal

In 2016, Vance started a nonprofit organization called Our Ohio Renewal. This group focused on issues like education and addiction in Ohio. The organization aimed to help with social problems he wrote about in his book. It closed by 2021.

U.S. Senate Career (2023–2025)

2022 Senate Campaign

Final results by Ohio county in 2022:

     JD Vance

     80–90%
     70–80%
     60–70%
     50–60%

     Tim Ryan

     60–70%
     50–60%

In 2021, Vance announced he would run for a U.S. Senate seat in Ohio. He won the Republican primary election in May 2022. In the general election in November 2022, Vance defeated the Democratic candidate, Tim Ryan, with 53% of the vote.

Time in the Senate

Official Senate portrait, 2023

Vance was sworn into the Senate on January 3, 2023. He served as Ohio's junior senator until January 3, 2025. During his time in the Senate, he worked on various issues. For example, he worked with Senator Sherrod Brown on a bill to prevent train derailments after an incident in East Palestine, Ohio.

Vance also introduced legislation related to gender-affirming care for minors and programs for diversity, equity, and inclusion. He resigned from the Senate on January 10, 2025, to prepare for his inauguration as Vice President.

Senate Committees

While in the Senate, Vance was part of several important committees:

• Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
• Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
• Senate Special Committee on Aging

2024 Presidential Election

Vice-Presidential Campaign

Logo for Trump and Vance's presidential campaign

On January 31, 2023, Vance supported former President Donald Trump for the 2024 presidential election. On July 15, 2024, Trump announced that he had chosen Vance as his running mate. Vance accepted the nomination at the 2024 Republican National Convention.

Many people, including Trump's sons and business leaders like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel, supported Vance as the Vice-Presidential pick. Vance joined Trump at fundraising events and spoke at conservative gatherings.

During the campaign, Vance faced some criticism for past comments. He also participated in a debate with Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.

Vance, Trump, former New York City Mayor Bloomberg, President Biden, and Vice President Harris at the National September 11 Memorial event in New York City on September 11, 2024

Comments on Families

Vance has spoken about the importance of families and children. He has suggested policies to support families, such as increasing the child tax credit. He believes that supporting families should be a top priority for the Republican Party.

Vice-Presidential Debate

Vance participated in the Vice-Presidential debate in October 2024. After the debate, polls showed that his public approval rating improved.

Trump, Vance, and their families on stage at the 2024 Republican National Convention

Vice Presidency (2025–present)

Vance being sworn in as vice president by Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh on January 20, 2025

On January 20, 2025, JD Vance became the 50th Vice President of the United States. He was sworn into office by Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Vance is the third-youngest person to serve as Vice President. He is also the first Marine Corps veteran to hold this position.

One of Vance's first actions as Vice President was swearing in Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He also cast a tie-breaking vote in the Senate to confirm Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense.

Usha and JD Vance at Pituffik Space Base in Greenland, March 2025

In March 2025, Vance visited Greenland. He spoke about the importance of the U.S. having a strong presence there and discussed the region's security. He also commented on global economic issues.

Munich Security Conference

In February 2025, Vance gave a speech at the Munich Security Conference. He spoke about security challenges for Europe, focusing on internal issues rather than just external threats.

Meeting with Ukrainian President

Vance sitting next to Secretary of State Marco Rubio during the meeting

On February 28, 2025, Vance and President Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House. During the meeting, Vance discussed the importance of diplomacy to end the conflict in Ukraine.

Personal Life

Vance wrote in his book, Hillbilly Elegy, about growing up in a low-income family. In 2013, he met Usha Chilukuri while they were both students at Yale Law School. They married in 2014. Usha Vance has worked for important judges, including Brett Kavanaugh and John Roberts.

JD and Usha Vance have three children. They own land in Kentucky.

Vance was raised in a Protestant Christian family. He later became an atheist in college. In 2019, he converted to Catholicism. He chose Augustine of Hippo as his confirmation saint. Vance has said that Catholic theology aligns with his political views.

Vance's cousin, Nate Vance, also served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Nate volunteered to fight for Ukraine in 2022.

Electoral History

2022 United States Senate Race in Ohio

2024 United States Presidential Election

Awards and Decorations

Vance received several awards and decorations during his military service:

Works

• Hillbilly Elegy (2016)

See also

In Spanish: J. D. Vance para niños