Trump chooses J.D. Vance as VP running mate

Former President Donald Trump has announced Ohio Senator J.D. Vance as his running mate. Trump is expected to accept the Republican nomination on Thursday. Vance would serve as vice president if elected to office in November.

The selection came on the first day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee and just a couple days after Trump survived an attempted assassination at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday. Trump said on Truth Social that a bullet pierced the upper part of his ear, and law enforcement confirmed one spectator died during the incident and two were critically injured. The Secret Service killed the gunman, who the FBI has identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Pennsylvania.

Trump’s pick for running mate has been long-awaited. His last running mate, former Vice President Mike Pence, has stated he would not endorse Trump, who he said “endangered my family and everyone at the Capitol” on January 6th, when rioters stormed the building seeking to stop the election of Joe Biden from being certified. Pence refused to interfere with the election certification.

The rumored finalists for the Republican VP candidacy were Vance, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum.

Vance has positioned himself as a liaison to Silicon Valley, reportedly courting key tech figures to support Trump. Tech investor David Sacks told Axios that Vance had “been instrumental” in making a Trump fundraiser Sacks hosted with fellow investor Chamath Palihapitiya come to life. Vance has also maintained a close relationship with Peter Thiel, one of Silicon Valley’s most famous conservatives, who helped bankroll Vance’s Senate candidacy.