J.D. Vance was ‘living in squalor 20 years ago,’ and now he’s Trump VP’s pick: Corey Lewandowski praises the Senator’s rise from ‘Hillbilly’ to running mate… and the ‘humbled’ aftermath of Trump’s shooting
Corey Lewandowski, former Trump campaign manager, said JD Vance should use his speech tonight to sell his compelling personal story to voters.
“I think most people don’t know him, to be honest,” Lewandowski told DailyMail.com.
“He’s an American success story who grew up in abject poverty,” the political operative continued. “Twenty years ago, this man was living in misery.”
Vance grew up in poverty in Ohio. His mother suffered from drug addiction, and he was raised largely by his maternal grandparents.
He graduated from high school and served four years in the U.S. Marines, then earned his bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University and a law degree from Yale.
Former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski said JD Vance should use his speech tonight to sell his compelling personal story to voters
In 2016, three years after graduating from law school, he wrote the memoir that made him famous: Hillbilly Elegy.
He is now 39, a senator from Ohio and Trump’s favorite for the vice presidency.
“Only in this great country can you do that. And so I think what you’re going to hear is his success story,” Lewandowski continued.
“And I hope he makes it clear that under an administration like Trump Vance, more people can realize the American dream in the next four years.”
Now two populist Republicans with Ivy League educations — Trump and his University of Pennsylvania degree — are taking on two Democrats who don’t have Ivy League degrees.
In 2016, three years after graduating from law school, he wrote the memoir that made him famous: Hillbilly Elegy.
Senator Marsha Blackburn agreed that Vance’s story of rising from poverty to wealth would help sell the American dream.
“I think JD has one of the most intriguing life stories of any senator,” the Tennessee Republican told DailyMail.com. “He’s almost the perfect candidate.”
She said Vance would bring a “younger, more libertarian” voter to the Republican Party.
Vance has been strongly opposed to aid to Ukraine since the beginning of the war and believes the US should clearly shift its defense focus to East Asia.
Other, more moderate senators were less enthusiastic about Vance as Trump’s nominee, but they avoided outright criticism.
Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said he was “hoping” for Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota, not J.D. Vance.
But his choice brings “younger voters” to the GOP party, which is an asset for the future.
Cramer called Vance an “honest intellectual populist,” with a smile. “He’ll be a great running mate, and a great vice president, and president if need be.”
“I think most people don’t know him, to be honest,” Lewandowski told DailyMail.com
Vance is a very different choice than Trump chose in former Vice President Mike Pence in 2016 under Lewandowski. Pence placed a much higher priority on international alliances and support for Ukraine.
“Vance means that we will never let Americans forget. That we will always stand up for ordinary Americans and make sure that they have a fair chance here in this country,” Ohio Senate candidate Bernie Moreno told DailyMail.com.
“We’re not going to move our jobs overseas. We’re not going to fight wars with other countries. We’re not going to rip off American taxpayers for their own personal gain. I think it strengthens the party of this, the party of a new generation of American leaders.”