Republican voters’ reactions to former President Donald Trump’s pick of Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) as his running mate are beginning to pour in. They are rallying behind Trump, calling his selection of Vance, the “Hillbilly Elegy” author, the right one. According to the latest Rasmussen Reports survey shared with the Washington Examiner, 75 percent of Republicans approve of the 39-year-old first-term senator being Trump’s vice presidential choice. Among all likely voters, 51 percent approve, while just 32 percent do not.
Today – J.D. Vance: Majority Approve of Trump VP Pick
A majority of voters like former President Donald Trump’s choice of Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance as his vice-presidential running mate. https://t.co/BKtTmNjmXw
— Rasmussen Reports (@Rasmussen_Poll) July 19, 2024
Vance sent out a memo to supporters on Wednesday about what to expect. “When President Trump asked me to be his Vice Presidential Nominee, this is what I told him: ‘Mr. President, it would be an honor to serve as your Vice President. During your time in office, America was at its best. Our economy was roaring, our border was under control, our cities were safe, and we were respected overseas. As your Vice President, I will faithfully serve by your side and you make our country GREAT AGAIN!’” Vance said.
He gave a head-turning response in April during an interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham about potentially becoming Trump’s 2024 running mate and possible vice president. “Well, Laura, I have actually never spoken to the president about V.P. Speculation. My simple answer is I want to help him however I can. If he asks me, of course I would think seriously about it. It would be a great honor,” Vance began.
“I also am happy to support the agenda in the United States Senate, and regardless, Laura, you have to remember my job is to serve the people of Ohio. Whether it’s supporting Trump’s agenda in the Senate or serving in some other role, we have got to bring good manufacturing jobs and prosperity to the people of Ohio and the American heartland,” he continued.
“For 40 years bipartisan consensus to ship jobs overseas to bring unchecked migration. Trump stopped that. And the real question for the Republican party is whether we follow that lead and double down on that winning agenda or do we try to go back to the old ways and, unfortunately, Laura, as you know as well as I do, there is a critical component of the old guard of the Republican party that wants to go back to the old ways, more immigration, more war, less good wages for American workers,” Vance said. He added: “Thank god Trump is there to push back against it.”
