James David “J.D.” Vance, born on August 2, 1984, in Middletown, Ohio, is an American politician, author, attorney, and Marine Corps veteran. As of January 20, 2025, he serves as the 50th Vice President of the United States under President Donald Trump .
Early Life and Education
Vance was born James Donald Bowman to Beverly Vance and Donald Bowman. Following his parents’ separation, he was raised by his maternal grandparents, adopting the surname “Vance” from his mother’s side . He graduated from Middletown High School in 2003 . After high school, Vance enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in Iraq. Upon returning, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in political science and philosophy from Ohio State University, graduating summa cum laude. He then obtained a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School .(Biography, The US Sun)
Career and “Hillbilly Elegy”
In 2016, Vance published “Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis,” a best-selling memoir detailing his upbringing and the struggles of the white working class in Appalachia. The book gained national attention during the 2016 presidential election and was later adapted into a Netflix film in 2020 .The US Sun)
After a stint in the tech industry, Vance co-founded Narya Capital, a venture capital firm based in Cincinnati, alongside notable partners like Peter Thiel .(The US Sun)
Political Career
Initially critical of Donald Trump during the 2016 election, Vance later aligned himself with the former president. In 2022, he was elected to the U.S. Senate representing Ohio, serving from 2023 until 2025 . In July 2024, Trump selected Vance as his running mate for the 2024 presidential election. Following their victory, Vance was inaugurated as Vice President on January 20, 2025 .
Personal Life
Vance is married to Usha Chilukuri, whom he met at Yale Law School. They married in 2014 and have three children. Usha is a litigation associate and is licensed to practice law in California, Ohio, and the District of Columbia .
Raised in a conservative evangelical Protestant environment, Vance converted to Catholicism in 2019, influenced by thinkers like St. Augustine and Peter Thiel .
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