James David Vance is the Vice Presidential nominee in the 2024 United States presidential election, running alongside Donald Trump. Following the 2024 election, he became the Vice President-elect of the United States, with his term scheduled to begin on January 20, 2025.

James David Vance was born on August 2, 1984, in Middletown, Ohio, as James Donald Bowman, the son of Beverly Carol and Donald Ray Bowman. His parents divorced when he was young, and he has a sister named Lindsey. After his mother’s remarriage, he was adopted by her third husband, Bob Hamel, and took the surname Hamel. In 2014, he later chose to adopt the surname Vance, taken from his maternal grandfather, with whom he was raised.

After graduating from Middletown High School, James David Vance enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Between 2003 and 2007, he served as a corporal and worked as a combat correspondent, including a six-month deployment in Iraq.

Upon completing his military service, James David Vance earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and philosophy from Ohio State University in 2009. During this period, he worked for Republican state senator Bob Schuler. He then attended Yale Law School on a scholarship, graduating in 2013 with a Juris Doctor degree. During Yale’s orientation, he formed a close friendship with future Canadian Conservative Member of Parliament Jamil Jivani.

After law school, James David Vance worked for Republican Senator John Cornyn and later served as a law clerk for U.S. District Judge David Bunning in the Eastern District of Kentucky. He subsequently practiced law at the firm Sidley Austin. After nearly two years in private legal practice, he transitioned into the technology sector, relocating to San Francisco to work as a venture capitalist. From 2016 to 2017, he served as a principal at Mithril Capital, a firm founded by Peter Thiel.

James David Vance is also the author of the bestselling memoir Hillbilly Elegy, published in 2016. The book received widespread attention during the 2016 U.S. presidential election and was adapted into a feature film in 2020, directed by Ron Howard and released on Netflix.

Although he was previously a vocal critic of Donald Trump, at one point referring to him as “America’s Hitler,” James David Vance shifted his political stance after entering electoral politics. In 2022, he was elected as United States Senator from Ohio and officially assumed office on January 3, 2023.

As a senator, James David Vance has drawn attention for his outspoken views on U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding Iraq and Ukraine. Reflecting on his military service, he stated: “I went to Iraq to proudly represent my country, but when I arrived, I realized I had been lied to.” He has been a strong critic of U.S. policy during the Iraq War and opposes President Joe Biden’s approach to Ukraine. He is also known for his pro-Israel stance, arguing that the United States must provide robust support to Israel.

In July 2024, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump announced James David Vance as his running mate for the presidential election. Following the election, Vance became Vice President-elect of the United States, set to assume office on January 20, 2025.

James David Vance married Usha Chilukuri in 2014, whom he met while attending law school. Vance is a Christian, while his wife practices Hinduism. The couple has three children.

Political Party: Republican Party

Awards:
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Sea Service Deployment Ribbon

Books:
2016 – Hillbilly Elegy (Memoir)

Source: Biyografiler.com