JD Vance is a relative political unknown. He's been asked to help Donald Trump avenge his 2020 loss
Ohio Sen. JD Vance is supposed to help Donald Trump win the Midwest this fall
By STEVE PEOPLES, THOMAS BEAUMONT and FARNOUSH AMIRI
Published - Jul 16, 2024, 11:12 AM ET
Last Updated - Jul 16, 2024, 11:12 AM EDT
MILWAUKEE (AP) — JD Vance is supposed to help Donald Trump win the Midwest this fall.
But almost immediately after the Ohio senator was announced as Trump's vice presidential pick on Monday, one thing became clear: Vance, a 39-year-old Republican with less than two years in Congress, is not well-known among many in his party, even in the swing states Trump hopes he'll deliver.
Michigan Republican Party Chairman Pete Hoekstra offered a blunt response when asked about Trump's pick minutes after it was announced: “We don't know him.”
"If he’s from Ohio, he understands our state and the other northern battlegrounds,” Hoekstra said, standing on the floor of the Republican National Convention. “But we haven’t had a chance to take his measure yet.”
