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{{Short description|Vice President of the United States}}

'''James David Vance''' (born August 2, 1984), commonly known as '''J. D. Vance''', is an American politician, author, and attorney serving as the [[Vice President of the United States]] since 2025. A member of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]], Vance previously served as a [[United States Senate|United States Senator]] from [[Ohio]].

Vance rose to national prominence with the publication of his 2016 memoir ''Hillbilly Elegy'', which explored social and economic issues affecting working-class communities in the United States. He later transitioned into politics, becoming a prominent figure within the populist and nationalist wing of the Republican Party.

== Early life and education ==

J. D. Vance was born in Middletown, Ohio, and grew up in a working-class family. He was raised primarily by his grandparents amid family instability, experiences that later shaped his views on culture, poverty, and social responsibility.

Vance enlisted in the [[United States Marine Corps]] after high school and served as a combat correspondent during the Iraq War.

After his military service, Vance earned a bachelor’s degree from [[Ohio State University]] and later obtained a Juris Doctor degree from Yale Law School.

== Career outside politics ==

Following law school, Vance worked as a venture capitalist and investment professional. He became involved in technology and startup ventures, particularly in the Midwest.

In 2016, Vance published ''Hillbilly Elegy'', which became a bestseller and was widely discussed in political and cultural debates about economic inequality, rural America, and social mobility. The book was later adapted into a feature film.

== United States Senate ==

Vance was elected to the U.S. Senate from Ohio in 2022. During his tenure, he aligned closely with President Donald Trump and became known for his opposition to globalization, foreign military interventions, and what he described as elite-driven economic policies.

In the Senate, Vance served on committees related to banking, commerce, and homeland security, and frequently emphasized domestic economic resilience and national sovereignty.

== Vice presidency ==

In 2024, Donald Trump selected Vance as his running mate in the presidential election. The ticket won the election, and Vance was sworn in as Vice President of the United States in January 2025.

As vice president, Vance has focused on domestic policy, economic nationalism, immigration enforcement, and reshaping U.S. foreign policy priorities. He has emphasized reducing U.S. involvement in prolonged foreign conflicts while maintaining a strong national defense.

== Foreign policy views ==

Vance is generally skeptical of traditional interventionist foreign policy. He has argued for prioritizing U.S. domestic interests and avoiding prolonged overseas military engagements.

Despite this stance, Vance has supported aggressive law enforcement and national security actions related to transnational crime, border security, and narcotics trafficking.

== Role in 2026 Venezuela crisis ==

During the January 2026 crisis involving Venezuela and the detention of President [[Nicolás Maduro]], Vance participated in administration-level discussions regarding national security and foreign policy. While President Trump and Secretary-level officials took the lead in public announcements, Vance was part of the executive leadership during the escalation of U.S.–Venezuela tensions.

The event marked one of the most significant foreign policy developments of his vice presidency to date.

== Political positions ==

Vance supports restrictive immigration policies, economic protectionism, industrial policy aimed at rebuilding domestic manufacturing, and expanded use of government power to counter foreign economic influence.

He has criticized multinational corporations, financial institutions, and what he describes as cultural and political elites.

== Personal life ==

Vance is married and has children. He converted to Roman Catholicism as an adult and has spoken publicly about the influence of faith on his worldview.

== See also ==

* [[Donald Trump]]
* [[Marco Rubio]]
* [[United States–Venezuela relations]]
* [[Vice President of the United States]]

[[Category:1984 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Vice Presidents of the United States]]
[[Category:United States senators from Ohio]]
[[Category:Republican Party United States senators]]
[[Category:United States Marines]]
[[Category:21st-century American politicians]]