Career Timeline of JD Vance: Major Achievements and Milestones

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JD Vance

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how JD Vance made an impact.

J.D. Vance is an American politician, author, attorney, and Marine Corps veteran. He served as a U.S. Senator for Ohio (2023-2025) and is currently the 50th Vice President of the United States. A Republican, he also serves as the finance chair of the Republican National Committee. Vance's background includes military service and a career in law and writing before entering politics.

2003: Enlisted in Marine Corps

In 2003, Vance enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after graduating from Middletown High School.

2005: Deployed to Iraq War

In 2005, Vance was deployed to the Iraq War for six months in a non-combat role as a military journalist.

2007: Left Military and Studied at OSU

In 2007, Vance left the military and used the G.I. Bill to study at Ohio State University.

2009: Graduated from OSU

In 2009, Vance graduated summa cum laude from Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and philosophy.

2010: Wrote for FrumForum

From 2010 to 2011, Vance wrote for David Frum's "FrumForum" website under the name J. D. Hamel.

2010: Entered Yale Law School

In 2010, Vance entered Yale Law School and won a position on The Yale Law Journal and began writing his memoir, Hillbilly Elegy.

Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis
Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis

2011: Initiated Rapport with Peter Thiel

In 2011, Vance initiated a rapport with Peter Thiel after attending his talk at Yale.

May 2013: Graduated from Yale Law School

In May 2013, Vance obtained his Juris Doctor degree from Yale Law School.

June 2016: Published Hillbilly Elegy

In June 2016, Harper published Vance's book, "Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis," which became a New York Times Best Seller.

Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis
Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis

December 2016: Planned Move to Ohio

In December 2016, Vance announced plans to move to Ohio and consider starting a nonprofit or running for office.

2016: Principal at Mithril Capital

From 2016 to 2017, Vance served as a principal at Peter Thiel's firm, Mithril Capital.

2016: Published Hillbilly Elegy

In 2016, Vance published his bestselling memoir, "Hillbilly Elegy", which garnered him national attention.

Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis
Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis

March 2017: Served on AppHarvest Board

From March 2017 to April 2021, Vance served on the board of directors of the startup AppHarvest.

April 2017: Ron Howard to Direct Hillbilly Elegy Film

In April 2017, Ron Howard signed on to direct the film version of "Hillbilly Elegy".

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2017: Principal at Mithril Capital

From 2016 to 2017, Vance served as a principal at Peter Thiel's firm, Mithril Capital.

2017: Our Ohio Renewal Foundation Formed

In 2017, Vance formed a 501(c)(3) organization, Our Ohio Renewal Foundation.

2017: Joined Revolution LLC

In 2017, Vance joined Revolution LLC to expand the "Rise of the Rest" initiative, focusing on investments outside Silicon Valley and New York City.

2017: Started Our Ohio Renewal

In 2017, Vance started Our Ohio Renewal, a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization focused on education and addiction.

2018: CNN Contributor

In 2017 and 2018, Vance was a CNN contributor.

2018: Satel Residency

In 2018, Sally Satel was sent to Ohio's Appalachian region for a yearlong residency.

2018: Considered Running for U.S. Senate

In early 2018, Vance considered running for the U.S. Senate against Sherrod Brown, but did not.

2019: Co-founded Rockbridge Network and Narya Capital

In 2019, Vance co-founded the conservative political advocacy group Rockbridge Network, and venture capital firm Narya Capital.

2019: Advisor of With Honor Fund

In 2019, Vance served on the board of advisors of the With Honor Fund, a Super PAC.

November 11, 2020: Hillbilly Elegy Film Released

On November 11, 2020, the film version of "Hillbilly Elegy" was released in select theaters and on Netflix.

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2020: Our Ohio Renewal

According to a 2020 capture of the website, the advisory board members of Our Ohio Renewal remained in their positions.

2020: Raised Funds for Narya Capital

During 2020, Vance raised $93 million for Narya Capital.

2020: Advisor of American Moment

From 2020 to 2023, Vance served on the board of advisors of American Moment.

2020: Vance questions 2020 election results

In October 2024, JD Vance publicly stated that he did not believe Donald Trump lost the 2020 presidential election, alleging that "Big Tech rigged the election" through censorship.

March 2021: Super PAC Support

In March 2021, Peter Thiel gave $10 million to Protect Ohio Values, a super PAC created to support a potential Vance candidacy.

April 2021: Served on AppHarvest Board

From March 2017 to April 2021, Vance served on the board of directors of the startup AppHarvest.

July 1, 2021: Announced Senate Campaign

On July 1, 2021, Vance announced his Senate campaign in Ohio.

2021: Controversial 'childless cat ladies' comment

In 2021, JD Vance made a controversial comment in a Fox News interview, saying the country was run by "childless cat ladies," sparking backlash after it resurfaced when he was named Trump's running mate.

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2021: Introduction to Trump

In 2021, Peter Thiel introduced JD Vance to Donald Trump, initiating a connection that would later influence Trump's decision to select Vance as his running mate.

May 3, 2022: Won Republican Primary

On May 3, 2022, Vance won the Republican primary with 32% of the vote.

2022: Sacks and Thiel Support Vance

In 2022, David Sacks contributed $900,000, and Peter Thiel added $15 million to a super PAC supporting Vance's Senate campaign.

2022: Won U.S. Senate Election in Ohio

In 2022, Vance won the United States Senate election in Ohio, defeating Democratic nominee Tim Ryan.

January 3, 2023: Sworn into Senate

On January 3, 2023, Vance was sworn into the Senate as a member of the 118th United States Congress.

January 2023: Served as Ohio Senator

From January 2023 to January 2025, Vance served as Ohio's senator.

January 31, 2023: Vance endorses Trump

On January 31, 2023, JD Vance publicly endorsed Donald Trump in the 2024 Republican Party presidential primaries.

June 2023: Voted Against Debt Ceiling

In June 2023, Vance voted against raising the debt ceiling, opposing the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023.

July 2023: Introduced Legislation on Gender-Affirming Care

In July 2023, Vance and Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene introduced legislation that would have made gender-affirming care for minors a federal crime.

2023: Our Ohio Renewal Foundation Fundraising

From 2017 to 2023, Vance's Our Ohio Renewal Foundation raised around $69,000.

2023: Advisor of American Moment

From 2020 to 2023, Vance served on the board of advisors of American Moment.

2023: Represented Ohio in U.S. Senate

From 2023 to 2025, Vance represented Ohio in the U.S. Senate as a member of the Republican Party.

May 15, 2024: Fundraising dinner with Trump

On May 15, 2024, Donald Trump attended a $50,000 per head private fundraising dinner with JD Vance in Cincinnati, indicating increasing alignment and support.

June 2024: Sponsored Dismantle DEI Act

In June 2024, Vance sponsored the Dismantle DEI Act, which would ban federal diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

July 15, 2024: Trump chooses Vance as running mate

On July 15, 2024, the first day of the Republican National Convention, Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he had chosen JD Vance as his running mate for the upcoming election.

July 2024: Senate Data

Data from mid-July 2024 showed that Vance had made 45 Senate speeches and sponsored 57 legislative bills, none of which had passed the Senate.

July 2024: Selected as Trump's Running Mate

In July 2024, Donald Trump selected Vance as his running mate for the Republican National Convention.

July 2024: Negative approval rating

In July 2024, after the Republican National Convention, a CNN poll analysis showed a net-negative approval rating for JD Vance, leading some to question his selection as a running mate.

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July 2024: Vance comments on Harris

In late July 2024, after President Joe Biden withdrew from the election and Kamala Harris became a presidential candidate, Vance acknowledged at a private fundraiser that Kamala Harris did not have the same baggage as Joe Biden.

July 26, 2024: Vance clarifies 'childless cat ladies' remarks

On July 26, 2024, following criticism for a resurfaced 2021 Fox News interview, JD Vance clarified his remarks on The Megyn Kelly Show, stating it was not a criticism of people without children but about the Democratic Party becoming anti-family.

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August 2024: Vance supports child tax credit

In August 2024, JD Vance stated on Face the Nation that he supported increasing the child tax credit from $2,000 to $5,000 per child.

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August 2024: Vance on abortion ban

In August 2024, JD Vance stated that Donald Trump had explicitly said he would veto a national abortion ban, outlining their stance on a key political issue.

August 2024: Vance interview comments

In August 2024, following criticism of his past remarks and political positions, JD Vance stated in an interview that a vice president "doesn't really matter" and that "Kamala Harris has been a bad vice president."

September 2024: Trump responds to Vance's statement

In September 2024, during his debate with Kamala Harris, Donald Trump responded to JD Vance's earlier statement about vetoing a national abortion ban by saying he hadn't discussed it with Vance, creating uncertainty about their stance.

September 2024: Vance speaks at town hall

In late September 2024, JD Vance spoke at a western Pennsylvania town hall event organized by Lance Wallnau, who has promoted election denialism and called Kamala Harris a "demon".

October 1, 2024: Vice Presidential Debate

On October 1, 2024, the vice-presidential debate was held at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City.

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October 2024: Favorability rises after debate

After the October 2024 vice-presidential debate, a CBS News/YouGov poll found JD Vance's favorability rose from 40% to 49%, and his unfavorability declined from 54% to 47%.

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October 2024: Vance questions 2020 election results

In October 2024, JD Vance publicly stated that he did not believe Donald Trump lost the 2020 presidential election, alleging that "Big Tech rigged the election" through censorship.

January 3, 2025: End of Senate Term

Vance served as Ohio's junior senator from January 3, 2023, to January 3, 2025.

January 2025: End of Senate Term

January 2025 marks the end of Vance's term as a senator for Ohio.

January 20, 2025: Vance becomes Vice President

At noon on January 20, 2025, JD Vance was sworn in as the 50th Vice President of the United States by Justice Brett Kavanaugh. He also held a meeting with China's vice president Han Zheng before his inauguration.

February 2025: Comments on executive power

In February 2025, after multiple federal judges issued temporary rulings against Trump administration actions, JD Vance wrote that "judges aren't allowed to control the executive's legitimate power."

February 2025: Munich Security Conference speech

In his February 2025 speech at the Munich Security Conference (MSC), JD Vance stated that "the threat from within" Europe was his biggest concern in terms of security, "not Russia, not China".

February 20, 2025: Favorability rating

As of February 20, 2025, JD Vance's overall favorability was 40.7% and his unfavorability was 42.5%, according to FiveThirtyEight.

February 28, 2025: Meeting with Zelenskyy

On February 28, 2025, JD Vance and Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the White House's Oval Office. Vance argued for diplomacy, leading to a hostile exchange when Zelenskyy questioned the approach.

March 2025: Visit to Greenland

In March 2025, JD Vance became the first sitting U.S. vice president to visit Greenland, expressing interest in the U.S. acquiring Greenland and criticizing Denmark's investment in its security.

2025: Affiliation with Project 2025

In 2025, American Moment, on whose board Vance served from 2020 to 2023, is affiliated with Project 2025.

2025: Heritage Foundation advocacy

In 2025, The Heritage Foundation, which drafted Project 2025, privately advocated for Vance to be Trump's vice-presidential pick.

2025: Became Vice President

In 2025, Vance assumed the role of the 50th Vice President of the United States and served as finance chair of the Republican National Committee during his tenure.