James David “JD” Vance is an American politician and author, currently serving as the 50th Vice President of the United States, having been sworn in on January 20, 2025.
At age 40, he is one of the youngest vice presidents in history, working alongside President Donald Trump.
Vance previously served as a U.S. Senator from Ohio, focusing on economic revitalization, border security, and energy independence.
His rise in politics follows his career as a venture capitalist and the success of his memoir, Hillbilly Elegy, which highlights his challenging upbringing in a struggling manufacturing town.
Parents
JD’s parents are Beverly Vance and Donald Bowman. They married in 1983 but divorced when JD was a toddler.
Following the divorce, JD was primarily raised by his maternal grandparents due to his mother’s struggles with addiction.
He was adopted by his mother’s third husband, Bob Hamel, which changed his name from James Donald Bowman to James David Hamel.
Vance’s father passed away in 2023, and they had a complicated relationship that improved during JD’s adolescence
Career
Vance began his journey in the United States Marine Corps, serving from 2003 to 2007.
During this time, he was deployed to Iraq, where he gained invaluable life experiences that would shape his worldview.
After completing his military service, Vance pursued higher education at Ohio State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science in 2009.
His time at Ohio State deepened his interest in public policy and social issues, laying a foundation for his future endeavors.
Following his undergraduate studies, Vance attended Yale Law School, where he graduated with a Juris Doctor degree in 2013.
His education at Yale equipped him with a solid legal foundation and opened doors to various career opportunities.
After graduating, he worked as a corporate lawyer in Silicon Valley, focusing on legal issues related to startups and venture capital.
Eventually, he transitioned into venture capital, investing in technology companies and startups, which further solidified his understanding of economic development.
Vance gained national recognition with the publication of his memoir, Hillbilly Elegy, in 2016.
The book reflects on his upbringing in a working-class family in Appalachia and explores themes of poverty, social mobility, and the struggles faced by many in rural America.
It was critically acclaimed and became a bestseller, eventually being adapted into a film by Netflix.
In 2022, Vance entered politics by running for the U.S. Senate seat from Ohio.
He campaigned on issues such as economic revitalization, addressing the opioid crisis, and promoting conservative values.
In November 2022, he won the election, defeating incumbent Democrat Tim Ryan.
In 2024, Vance was selected as Donald Trump’s running mate for the presidential election.
They won the election, and Vance was inaugurated as the 50th Vice President of the United States on January 20, 2025.
In this role, he focuses on various national issues including economic policy, border security, and energy independence.
On a personal note, Vance is married to Usha Vance, an attorney and former law clerk for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
