Lori Meibers recalls how inquisitive young JD Vance was.

Meibers, who is Vance’s aunt and affectionately called “Aunt Wee,” described him as an intelligent boy who was always reading. Even as a child in Middletown, she noted, Vance’s grandfather called him “Fingers” because he was eager to touch and discover everything around him. That innate curiosity led him to pursue a path that took him to the Marine Corps, Yale Law School, and eventually to the Senate.

When Vance sent a text to Meibers revealing he would be Donald Trump’s running mate, she wasn’t surprised.

“He’s young, he’s bright, and he thinks outside the traditional framework,” she stated. “He’s not one to simply conform to the old ways of doing things that have persisted for generations.”

However, opinions about the senator from Ohio are mixed. His popularity has been low in national polls, with a recent YSL News/Suffolk University poll indicating that voters find Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to be a friendlier and more capable leader. Just 42% of respondents felt Vance was ready for the presidency, while 54% said the same about Walz.

Vance has also been in the news for various controversies, such as telling Vice President Kamala Harris to “go to hell” and spreading questionable rumors about immigrants in Ohio allegedly eating pets. Reports from the Associated Press and New York Times have emphasized Vance’s connections to those behind Project 2025, a conservative policy initiative that he and Trump are trying to distance themselves from.

Nonetheless, the Trump campaign believes Vance’s personal story will resonate with voters in crucial states. Since he received the vice-presidential nomination, Vance has been actively campaigning, frequently appearing with his family and dog. His allies assert that his willingness to confront his critics positions him perfectly to represent the MAGA agenda.

Vance’s ability to engage fiercely with opponents will face a significant trial on Tuesday during his only vice-presidential debate against Walz.

“The message we aim to convey to the American people isn’t complicated,” Vance shared in an interview with YSL News Network Ohio. “We want to remind Americans of the prosperity, low inflation, increased take-home pay, and relatively peaceful world during Donald Trump’s presidency. We are also making it clear that Kamala Harris has overseen an open border and high costs for groceries and housing.”

A bumpy start to the VP race

At 40, Vance is not unfamiliar with challenging campaigns.

He faced significant opposition in his 2022 Senate primary from more prominent Republicans but eventually prevailed, partly due to Trump’s endorsement and the support of tech billionaire Peter Thiel. Vance’s campaign started the general election against former U.S. Representative Tim Ryan in a difficult state, with Ryan spending heavily on ads. National Republican funding helped Vance in the final stretch, allowing him to win by a margin of 6 points.

Ryan seized the opportunity to highlight Vance’s controversial statements, many of which have resurfaced to challenge his vice-presidential ambitions.

The Harris campaign has brought attention to Vance’s past remarks regarding women and families. He has made questionable comments about divorce and criticized women he referred to as “childless cat ladies.” In another past interview, he suggested that women from Ivy League schools who choose career advancement over having children are heading towards “a path to misery.” Criticism also emerged regarding Vance’s changing stance on Trump, who he previously implied could be “America’s Hitler.”

“I’m uncertain about who he really is since his beliefs seem to shift depending on his audience and funding sources,” said Liz Walters, chair of the Ohio Democratic Party. “That’s concerning for any position, especially for the vice presidency of the United States.”

Vance acknowledged that he informed Trump’s vetting team about his past remarks potentially resurfacing, although he contends that many attacks from the Harris campaign haven’t hit their mark.

“It’s been like revisiting the greatest hits from the 2022 Senate campaign,” he remarked. “We anticipated this would happen. You can clarify your past comments while still emphasizing what Kamala Harris has not accomplished and what Donald Trump achieved success in his endeavors.

Vance has faced criticism that goes beyond his previous actions. He faced backlash for promoting on social media claims that Haiti immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were consuming pets and pilfering from wildlife as the city grapples with a surge of new residents. Vance defended his statements by indicating he was relaying reports from his constituents and alleged that media organizations only cared about Springfield when cat memes went viral.

However, Governor Mike DeWine and local leaders in Springfield dismissed these claims as unfounded, stating they diverted attention from actual local issues like a lack of housing and an overburdened healthcare system.

In addition to the scrutiny of his statements, Vance is perceived as socially awkward and disconnected while campaigning. A visit to a doughnut shop in Georgia went viral after an employee, unaware of his identity, asked not to be filmed. Following the incident, he expressed to NBC News that he “felt awful” for the employee and instructed his team to improve their visit planning.

U.S. Representative Greg Landsman, a Democrat from Cincinnati, noted that voters favor Harris and Walz for their “normal and practical” demeanor, suggesting Vance is too engaged with internet culture to connect with everyday people.

“The issue with JD is that he’s like the last guy you encounter at a party—not because you’re uninterested, but because it feels like he doesn’t really care about you,” Landsman remarked, referencing his role as Vance’s congressional representative. “He gives off an impression of being aloof.”

Vance supporters highlight ‘realignment’

Supporters of Vance and Trump perceive a different narrative as the vice-presidential candidate campaigns vigorously across states like Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Nevada: they see him as a fierce competitor who is ready to confront Harris anytime, anywhere.

Vance wraps up his rallies by welcoming questions from reporters, buoyed by a supportive audience. He frequently appears on media outlets beyond the conservative sphere, often adopting a confrontational stance during interviews with CNN and “Meet the Press.” He attempted to present his platform to a less receptive audience at the International Association of Fire Fighters event in Boston, where he faced boos as he approached the stage.

“My father and our whole campaign are extremely pleased with JD’s performance since he was selected as our VP nominee,” stated Donald Trump Jr., who is friends with Vance. “Every day, I hear from Republican strategists or donors who were initially doubtful about JD, now praising him for his impressive campaign trail and media presence.”

Ohio Republican Party Chair Alex Triantafilou believes Vance’s political style signifies a new direction for the GOP—a party that now engages with union members and counters the establishment’s foreign policy enthusiasm. He argues that Vance’s experiences rising from poverty will resonate with voters concerned about economic realities.

Vance made his fortune in venture capitalism and now owns several properties, including a Virginia home valued at $1.6 million, according to the Washington Post. His and Usha Vance’s total assets range from $4.1 million to $11.8 million, based on his recent financial filings.

“Senator Vance is indicative of a forward shift, marking a realignment in certain aspects,” Triantafilou asserted. “He represents that change in Ohio with an increased emphasis on the working-class folks who feel marginalized in a global economy.”

JD Vance’s brief Senate record

Vance’s policy stances have emerged during his short time in the U.S. Senate.

He has displayed an inclination to collaborate across party lines on issues that matter to both populist Republicans and Democrats. In one Senate session, he emphasized the need for affordable internet access and urged fellow senators to rise above partisanship to address the needs of constituents.

In this spirit, Vance teamed up with Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts to hold executives of failing banks accountable. He also introduced a bill alongside Wisconsin Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin aimed at ensuring that taxpayer-funded innovations are made in the U.S. Additionally, he supports bipartisan initiatives to abolish policies reducing Social Security benefits for individuals who also receive other types of compensation, like government pensions.

Following a train derailment carrying hazardous materials in East Palestine shortly after he assumed office, Vance collaborated with fellow Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown on legislation to bolster federal rail safety standards.

At the same time, Vance also provocatively uses his Senate role to address contemporary contentious issues. His legislative proposals include initiatives targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs; prohibiting gender-affirming treatment for minors; and revoking federal funding from universities that permit protest camps.

However, the central theme of Vance’s initial Senate term has been his opposition to U.S. involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Building on his campaign statements, where he expressed indifference towards Ukraine’s situation, the junior senator has been against all U.S. funding directed towards Ukraine.

to aid the nation’s efforts against Russia.

This ongoing situation emphasizes Vance’s isolationist stance on foreign policy, aligning him with Trump while placing him in opposition to some party members who advocate for a more assertive approach towards Russia.

“It was the bipartisan consensus on foreign policy — the so-called experts — who led us into a two-decade war in Afghanistan, where American taxpayers for 20 years funded initiatives aimed at transforming Afghanistan into a democratic society, or teaching Afghans American perspectives on gender issues in the 21st century,” Vance stated on the Senate floor earlier this year. “Perhaps that was not a wise use of funds, and maybe the experts were mistaken.”

What does the resume tell us?

On the campaign trail, Vance prioritizes many of these issues during his discussions with voters.

He advocates for increasing oil drilling in the United States, a message that particularly connects with the people of Pennsylvania. He criticizes mandates for electric vehicles and expresses that he prefers not to deploy American troops “for anyone else’s conflicts.” Reflecting on his mother’s battle with substance abuse, he urges for stricter measures at the U.S.-Mexico border to combat the influx of illegal drugs.

If he wins, Vance would be the youngest individual to serve as vice president since Richard Nixon took office in 1953. Yet, Triantafilou insists that there should be no questions about his preparedness — especially since he wouldn’t be the first to step into the White House with limited background. Trump had no previous elected roles before 2017, and Barack Obama campaigned for presidency while still in his first Senate term.

Landsman agrees and suggests that Vance shouldn’t be underestimated.

“He’s incredibly intelligent, and he will play a significant role in assisting Trump and the Heritage Foundation in advancing parts of Project 2025 that resonate with them,” Landsman mentioned.

Vance claims he hasn’t given much thought about what type of vice president he would become if Republicans prevail in the upcoming White House election. However, he is certain about one thing: he does not intend to be an inactive participant.

“I anticipate being very involved,” Vance expressed. “I know the president expects me to engage in all matters, and I certainly wish to do so. The president is the party leader, and if he succeeds, he leads the nation, so my aim is to help ensure his success.”

Meibers sees her nephew as someone who will challenge the conventional ways and confront difficult issues. She mentioned that Vance has always had a keen interest in service, whether through volunteering at community events or during his military service in the Marine Corps. As a younger individual, he frequently discussed political matters that Meibers believed he shouldn’t be concerned about at that age.

Now, Meibers thinks Vance has reshaped the dialogue.

“His prospects are promising,” she stated, “and I believe he has been preparing for this role for quite some time.”