Former President Donald Trump’s announcement of Ohio Senator J.D. Vance as his running mate could be a game-changer for Appalachian Ohio residents.
Vance, 39, grew up in a working-class family in Appalachian Ohio, and his family faced the economic and substance abuse challenges so many in our region have dealt with. Despite facing numerous hardships in his youth, Vance graduated from Middletown High School and went on to serve in the United States Marine Corps, including a deployment to Iraq. After his military service, he attended Ohio State University, earning a degree in political science and philosophy. He later graduated from Yale Law School.
Vance gained national recognition with the publication of his memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy,” in 2016. The book details his upbringing and the socio-economic challenges of the white working class in Appalachia. It became a bestseller and sparked widespread discussion about rural poverty and the American Dream. Ohio voters elected J.D. Vance to the Senate in 2022.
If Trump wins in November, Having an Appalachian Ohioan like Vance as vice president would mean that the unique needs and concerns of this region might get more attention on a national level. Issues like job creation, healthcare, and infrastructure improvements that are particularly important to Southern Ohio could be prioritized.
For residents of Southern Ohio, having someone from their region in such a high position could be a source of pride. It could inspire local communities and highlight the contributions of Appalachian Ohio to the rest of the country.