History of JD Vance in Timeline
J.D. Vance is an American politician and author. He is a Republican and serves as the 50th Vice President of the United States. Prior to this role, he was a U.S. Senator representing Ohio from 2023 to 2025.
3 hours ago : JD Vance announces 'Communion,' a memoir exploring Catholicism and potential future aspirations.
JD Vance announced 'Communion,' detailing his conversion to Catholicism. The book's cover faced criticism, and speculation arose about a possible 2028 presidential run linked to its release and themes.
August 2, 1984: James David Vance's Birth
On August 2, 1984, James David Vance, originally named James Donald Bowman, was born. This marks the beginning of his life journey, which would lead him to become a politician, author, and eventually the Vice President of the United States.
2003: Enlistment in the U.S. Marine Corps
In 2003, J.D. Vance enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. This marked the beginning of his four-year tenure in the military where he served as a military journalist in public affairs.
2003: Graduation and Enlistment
In 2003, J.D. Vance graduated from Middletown High School and subsequently enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.
December 2005: Roundtable Discussion with Dick Cheney
In December 2005, while serving in the Marine Corps, J.D. Vance participated in a roundtable discussion with Vice President Dick Cheney during his deployment in Iraq.
2007: End of Military Service
In 2007, J.D. Vance concluded his four-year service in the U.S. Marine Corps. Following his military service, he pursued higher education at Ohio State University using the G.I. Bill.
2007: Enrollment at Ohio State University
In 2007, J.D. Vance left the military and enrolled at Ohio State University using the G.I. Bill to fund his education.
2008: Demolition of Roosevelt Elementary School
In 2008, Roosevelt Elementary School, which J.D. Vance attended as a child, was demolished.
2009: Graduation from Ohio State University
In 2009, J.D. Vance graduated summa cum laude from Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and philosophy.
2010: Writing for FrumForum under the name J. D. Hamel
From 2010 to 2011, J.D. Vance wrote for David Frum's "FrumForum" website under the pseudonym J. D. Hamel.
2010: Enrollment at Yale Law School
In 2010, J.D. Vance entered Yale Law School, where he secured a position on The Yale Law Journal staff.
2011: Initiation of Rapport with Peter Thiel
In 2011, J.D. Vance established a rapport with Peter Thiel after attending Thiel's talk at Yale University.
2012: Demolition of Vail Middle School
In 2012, Vail Middle School, which J.D. Vance attended, was demolished.
April 2013: Name Change to James David Vance
In April 2013, J.D. Vance changed his name to James David Vance before graduating from Yale.
May 2013: Graduation from Yale Law School
In May 2013, J.D. Vance graduated from Yale Law School with a Juris Doctor degree.
2013: Vance meets Usha Chilukuri
In 2013, Vance met Usha Chilukuri while they were both students at Yale Law School.
June 14, 2014: Vance marries Usha Chilukuri
On June 14, 2014, Vance and Usha Chilukuri married in Kentucky in an interfaith ceremony, marking the beginning of their family life together.
2014: Erroneous Mention of Name Change in Hillbilly Elegy
In 2014, although Hillbilly Elegy mentioned the adoption of his grandparents' surname of Vance, the actual name change occurred in April 2013 when he was about to graduate from Yale.
2015: Employment at Circuit Therapeutics
From 2015 to 2017, J.D. Vance worked at Circuit Therapeutics, a biotech company. He was hired for his intelligence, legal qualifications, and connection to Peter Thiel.
June 2016: Publication of "Hillbilly Elegy"
In June 2016, Harper published J.D. Vance's book, "Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis." The book quickly became a bestseller and propelled Vance into the national spotlight.
September 2016: Vance considers converting to Catholicism
By September 2016, Vance was "not an active participant" in any particular Christian denomination, but was "thinking very seriously about converting to Catholicism".
December 2016: Plans to Move to Ohio
In December 2016, J.D. Vance announced his plans to move to Ohio and consider starting a nonprofit organization or running for political office.
2016: Publication of Hillbilly Elegy
In 2016, J.D. Vance gained national prominence with the publication of his memoir, Hillbilly Elegy, which explored the disaffection of the white working class after Donald Trump's election.
2016: Joining Mithril Capital
In 2016, J.D. Vance joined Peter Thiel's firm, Mithril Capital, as a principal, marking his entry into the technology industry as a venture capitalist after a brief career in law.
2016: Vance criticizes Donald Trump
In 2016, Vance was openly critical of Donald Trump, then a Republican presidential nominee, labeling him "reprehensible".
March 2017: Board of Directors of AppHarvest
From March 2017 to April 2021, J.D. Vance was on the board of directors of AppHarvest, a startup focused on indoor vertical farming in Kentucky. AppHarvest was also one of Narya Capital's first investments.
April 2017: Ron Howard Signed to Direct Hillbilly Elegy Film
In April 2017, Ron Howard signed on to direct the film adaptation of J.D. Vance's "Hillbilly Elegy."
2017: CNN Contributor
In 2017 and 2018, J.D. Vance worked as a contributor for CNN, offering his insights and analysis on various topics.
2017: Hillbilly Elegy on The New York Times Best Seller List
In 2017, Hillbilly Elegy remained on The New York Times Best Seller list, solidifying its impact and influence on discussions about American culture and politics.
2017: Departure from Circuit Therapeutics and Mithril
In 2017, J.D. Vance departed from both Circuit Therapeutics and Mithril Capital, concluding his involvement with both companies and returning to Ohio.
2017: Creation of Our Ohio Renewal
In 2017, J.D. Vance established Our Ohio Renewal, a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization focused on addressing education, addiction, and other social issues in Ohio.
2017: Formation of Our Ohio Renewal Foundation
In 2017, J.D. Vance formed a 501(c)(3) organization named Our Ohio Renewal Foundation, which raised approximately $69,000 from 2017 to 2023.
2017: Departure from Mithril Capital
In 2017, J.D. Vance left Mithril Capital, concluding his tenure at the venture capital firm after clashing with its co-founder. He subsequently moved back to Ohio and became involved in other ventures.
2018: Satel's Residency in Appalachian Region
According to a 2019 ProPublica investigation, Sally Satel's yearlong residency in Ohio's Appalachian region in 2018, facilitated by J.D. Vance's charity, was "tainted" by her ties to Purdue Pharma through knowledge exchange and financial support to the American Enterprise Institute (AEI).
2018: CNN Contributor
In 2017 and 2018, J.D. Vance worked as a contributor for CNN, offering his insights and analysis on various topics.
2018: Joining Revolution LLC
In 2018, J.D. Vance joined Revolution LLC, an investment firm founded by Steve Case, where he focused on expanding the "Rise of the Rest" initiative to invest in underserved regions.
2018: Vance purchases home in Cincinnati
In 2018, Vance purchased a 157-year-old home in East Walnut Hills, Cincinnati, for $1,400,000.
August 2019: Vance converts to Catholicism
In August 2019, Vance was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Church, choosing Augustine of Hippo as his confirmation saint.
2019: ProPublica Investigation on Satel's Ties
According to a 2019 ProPublica investigation, Sally Satel's yearlong residency in Ohio's Appalachian region in 2018, facilitated by J.D. Vance's charity, was "tainted" by her ties to Purdue Pharma through knowledge exchange and financial support to the American Enterprise Institute (AEI).
2019: No Funds Spent Since 2019
As of September 2024, the Our Ohio Renewal Foundation had not spent any funds since 2019, indicating a period of inactivity.
2019: Co-founding Rockbridge Network and Narya Capital
In 2019, J.D. Vance co-founded the conservative political advocacy group Rockbridge Network and the venture capital firm Narya Capital in Cincinnati.
2019: Advisor for With Honor Fund
In 2019, J.D. Vance served on the board of advisors of the With Honor Fund, a Super PAC supporting veterans running for office.
November 11, 2020: Release of Hillbilly Elegy Film
On November 11, 2020, the film adaptation of "Hillbilly Elegy," directed by Ron Howard, was released in select theaters. Later that month, it became available on Netflix.
2020: Advisor for American Moment
From 2020 to 2023, J.D. Vance was on the board of advisors of American Moment, an organization for young conservatives affiliated with Project 2025.
2020: Raising Funds for Narya Capital
In 2020, J.D. Vance successfully raised $93 million for his venture capital firm, Narya Capital.
2020: Advisory Board Members Remained in Position
In 2020, Keith Humphreys, Jamil Jivani, Yuval Levin, and Sally Satel remained as advisory board members of Our Ohio Renewal, maintaining their positions throughout the organization's existence.
2020: Vance's stance on the 2020 election results
In 2020, Vance said that if he had been vice president during the 2020 presidential election, he would not have certified the results.
March 2021: Peter Thiel donates to Protect Ohio Values PAC
In March 2021, Peter Thiel donated $10 million to Protect Ohio Values, a super PAC created to support a potential JD Vance candidacy.
March 2021: Vance suggests higher taxes for childless people
In a March 2021 interview on The Charlie Kirk Show, JD Vance suggested that childless people should be taxed at a higher rate than those with children.
April 2021: End of AppHarvest Board Membership
From March 2017 to April 2021, J.D. Vance was on the board of directors of AppHarvest, a startup focused on indoor vertical farming in Kentucky. AppHarvest was also one of Narya Capital's first investments.
July 1, 2021: Vance announces Senate campaign
On July 1, 2021, JD Vance formally announced his campaign for the U.S. Senate in Ohio.
2021: Closure of Our Ohio Renewal
By 2021, Our Ohio Renewal closed its operations with limited achievements. According to its director of law and policy, Jamil Jivani, the organization's work was hindered by his cancer diagnosis.
2021: Vance supports Donald Trump
In 2021, after announcing his Senate candidacy, Vance publicly endorsed Donald Trump, apologizing for past criticisms and deleting some of them.
May 3, 2022: Vance wins Republican primary
On May 3, 2022, JD Vance won the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat in Ohio, securing 32% of the vote.
2022: Tim Ryan's Criticism of Our Ohio Renewal
During J.D. Vance's 2022 U.S. Senate campaign, Democratic nominee Tim Ryan criticized Our Ohio Renewal, suggesting it was a front for Vance's political ambitions and pointing to its limited success in addressing addiction.
2022: Financial support for Vance's Senate campaign
In 2022, David Sacks gave a super PAC supporting JD Vance's Senate campaign $900,000, and Peter Thiel added $15 million.
2022: Election to the Senate
In 2022, J.D. Vance was elected to the Senate, defeating Democratic nominee Tim Ryan after winning a Republican primary with Donald Trump's endorsement.
2022: Nate Vance volunteers to fight for Ukraine
In 2022, Nate Vance, JD's cousin and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, volunteered to fight for Ukraine after Russia's invasion, serving in the "Da Vinci Wolves" unit.
January 3, 2023: Vance sworn into the Senate
On January 3, 2023, JD Vance was sworn into the Senate as a member of the 118th United States Congress, representing Ohio.
January 31, 2023: Vance endorses Donald Trump
On January 31, 2023, JD Vance endorsed former president Donald Trump in the 2024 Republican Party presidential primaries.
March 1, 2023: Vance co-sponsors bipartisan legislation
On March 1, 2023, JD Vance and Senator Sherrod Brown co-sponsored bipartisan legislation aimed at preventing derailments, but the bill failed due to lack of Republican support.
June 2023: Vance votes against raising the debt ceiling
In June 2023, JD Vance voted against raising the debt ceiling, opposing the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, citing concerns about its impact on the military.
July 2023: Vance introduces legislation on gender-affirming care
In July 2023, JD Vance and Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene introduced legislation that would have made gender-affirming care for minors a federal crime, with penalties of up to 12 years in prison.
2023: Advisor for American Moment
From 2020 to 2023, J.D. Vance was on the board of advisors of American Moment, an organization for young conservatives affiliated with Project 2025.
2023: Limited Spending by Our Ohio Renewal Foundation
In 2017, J.D. Vance formed a 501(c)(3) organization named Our Ohio Renewal Foundation, which raised approximately $69,000 from 2017 to 2023.
2023: AppHarvest Bankruptcy
In 2023, AppHarvest, a company where J.D. Vance served on the board of directors from 2017 to 2021, went bankrupt owing over $340 million. The company faced challenges due to inexperience among its executives and complaints about working conditions.
May 15, 2024: Trump and Vance attend fundraising dinner
On May 15, 2024, Donald Trump attended a $50,000 per head private fundraising dinner with JD Vance in Cincinnati.
June 2024: Vance sponsors the Dismantle DEI Act
In June 2024, JD Vance sponsored the Dismantle DEI Act, which would ban federal diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and funding for agencies, contractors, and organizations receiving federal funds.
July 15, 2024: Trump chooses Vance as running mate
On July 15, 2024, Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he had chosen JD Vance as his running mate for the upcoming election.
July 2024: Vance's Senate legislative record in mid-July
Data from mid-July 2024, showed that JD Vance had made 45 Senate speeches and sponsored 57 legislative bills, none of which had passed the Senate at that time.
July 2024: Negative Approval Rating Post Republican National Convention
In July 2024, a CNN poll analysis after the Republican National Convention showed that JD Vance had a net-negative approval rating. His public reception raised concerns about his choice as running mate.
July 2024: Vance comments on Kamala Harris after Biden's withdrawal
In late July 2024, after Joe Biden withdrew from the presidential race and Kamala Harris became a candidate, JD Vance stated that Harris did not have the same baggage as Biden.
July 26, 2024: Vance clarifies controversial remarks about "childless cat ladies"
On July 26, 2024, JD Vance clarified his controversial 2021 remarks about "childless cat ladies" on The Megyn Kelly Show, stating that his criticism was aimed at the Democratic Party's anti-family stance.
August 2024: Vance says Trump would veto abortion ban
In August 2024, JD Vance claimed that Donald Trump had explicitly stated he would veto a national abortion ban if it came to his desk.
August 2024: Vance backtracks on voting power for parents
In August 2024, Vance backtracked from his suggestion that parents should have more voting power than non-parents.
August 2024: Vance changes his rhetoric on Kamala Harris
In August 2024, after previously commenting on Kamala Harris' presidential prospects, JD Vance stated that a vice president "doesn't really matter" and that Harris "has been a bad vice president".
August 2024: Vance supports increasing child tax credit
In an August 2024 interview on Face the Nation, JD Vance expressed support for increasing the child tax credit from $2,000 to $5,000 per child.
September 2024: Our Ohio Renewal Foundation's Inactivity
As of September 2024, the Our Ohio Renewal Foundation had not spent any funds since 2019, indicating a period of inactivity.
September 2024: Vance makes unsubstantiated claims about Haitian immigrants
In September 2024, JD Vance made unsubstantiated allegations about Haitian illegal immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, which were later echoed by Donald Trump. These claims were refuted by local authorities.
September 2024: Trump contradicts Vance's claim on abortion veto
In September 2024, during his debate with Kamala Harris, Donald Trump contradicted JD Vance's earlier statement that he would veto a national abortion ban, saying he hadn't discussed it with Vance.
September 2024: Vance speaks at event organized by election denier
In late September 2024, JD Vance spoke at a town hall event organized by Lance Wallnau, who has promoted election denialism and called Kamala Harris a "demon".
October 1, 2024: Vice Presidential Debate
The vice presidential debate was held on October 1, 2024, at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City.
October 2024: Vance questions 2020 election
In October 2024, JD Vance stated that he did not believe Donald Trump lost the 2020 presidential election, claiming that "Big Tech rigged the election" through censorship.
2024: Selection as Trump's Running Mate
In 2024, J.D. Vance was selected as Donald Trump's running mate in the presidential election. Subsequently, he resigned from the Senate before being inaugurated as Vice President of the United States.
2024: Zelenskyy's visit to a Pennsylvania factory and the aftermath
In 2024, after a tense meeting in the White House, Zelenskyy's delegation was made to leave the White House, canceling plans to sign a minerals deal between Ukraine and the U.S., after Zelenskyy visited a factory in Pennsylvania to thank workers producing ammunition for Ukraine, and separately calling Vance "too radical".
January 3, 2025: End of Vance's first term as senator
JD Vance's time as Ohio's junior senator came to an end on January 3, 2025.
January 20, 2025: Vance becomes Vice President
On January 20, 2025, JD Vance was sworn in as the 50th Vice President of the United States. He is the first Marine Corps veteran to hold the office.
February 2025: Vance comments on judicial power
In February 2025, after multiple federal judges issued rulings against Trump administration actions, Vice President JD Vance wrote that "judges aren't allowed to control the executive's legitimate power".
February 2025: Vance's Munich Security Conference Speech
In February 2025, during his speech at the Munich Security Conference (MSC), Vance stated that the biggest threat to Europe's security was "the threat from within," not Russia or China. This stance was interpreted by some media outlets as a turning point in EU-US relations and a declaration of an "ideological war."
February 28, 2025: Meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
On February 28, 2025, Vance and Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the White House. Vance advocated for diplomacy with Russia, leading to a hostile exchange with Zelenskyy, who questioned the effectiveness of diplomacy given Russia's non-compliance with previous agreements.
March 2025: Vance visits Greenland
In March 2025, Vice President Vance visited Greenland, advocating for U.S. acquisition of Greenland and warning against the influence of China and Russia. He also criticized Denmark's investment in Greenland's security.
May 2025: Vance helps mediate ceasefire between India and Pakistan
In May 2025, Vance, along with Marco Rubio, played a role in mediating a ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan amidst their conflict.
2025: Nate Vance criticizes JD's stance on Ukraine
In 2025, Nate Vance criticized JD's stance on Ukraine, accusing him and Trump of aiding Russia. He expressed disappointment that JD did not consult him for insights on the war. In the same year, Vance's half-brother, Cory Bowman, unsuccessfully ran for office in the Cincinnati mayoral election.
2025: U.S. Senator
James David Vance served as a U.S. Senator for Ohio from 2023 to 2025.
January 20, 2026: JD and Usha Vance announce they are expecting their fourth child
On January 20, 2026, JD and Usha Vance announced that they are expecting their fourth child, a boy, due in the summer.
February 2026: Vance visits Armenia
In February 2026, Vance became the first sitting U.S. vice president to visit Armenia. He met with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to promote a U.S.-brokered civil nuclear energy deal to reduce Russia's regional influence.
March 2026: Reports Emerge of Policy Divide Between Trump and Vance Regarding US-Israeli Strikes Against Iran
In March 2026, reports surfaced indicating a policy disagreement between President Trump and Vice President Vance concerning U.S.-Israeli military actions against Iran. Despite publicly defending the administration's actions as necessary to counter Iran's nuclear threat, Vance reportedly voiced skepticism during internal White House discussions preceding the military operation.
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