(Video by IMANI AGBIONU, Capital News Service)
MILWAUKEE – Delegates at the Republican National Convention certified Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance Monday afternoon as Donald Trump’s vice presidential running mate, a pick that stirred resounding endorsements from Maryland and other state delegations.
“I couldn’t be happier. A great selection, I’m 100% for it,” Jerry DeWolf, a delegate from Washington County told Capital News Service on the convention floor. “I’m just so excited to be here. And I’m proud that President Trump is fighting for America. I’m proud that Senator J.D. Vance gets to fight right alongside him.”
In a brief statement to CNS, State Sen. Johnny Ray Salling, R-Baltimore County, said: “We are very happy with Senator J.D. Vance. We support our President Donald Trump and his nominee as vice president.”
Trump announced his decision Monday afternoon to tap the author of the memoir “Hillbilly Elegy” and the once-outspoken critic of the former president as his running mate.
Following a unanimous ‘aye’ from the floor of the Fiserv Forum several hours later, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, officially confirmed that Trump and Vance will be the GOP standard-bearers in November.
Vance stood at the front of the Ohio delegation alongside his wife Usha, waving to the crowd with misty eyes.
Maryland delegates were active on social media following the announcement. CNS relied heavily on public posts by Maryland convention delegates as Maryland GOP Executive Director Adam Wood directed the delegates not to speak to the media without his approval. Wood asked CNS to submit pre-screened questions, which is not a customary practice by news organizations.
“Great!!” Maryland State Del. Kathy Szeliga wrote on X after the Vance announcement.
“Well, I guess he’s done with the @BankingGOP…” Maryland delegate Don Murphy posted on X, referring to Vance’s membership in the U.S. Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee.
Maryland delegate Vikki Birkett echoed the delegation’s excitement on Facebook: “JD Vance in the house!” The post was accompanied by a photo of Vance wading through a throng of delegates reaching to snap a photo on the convention floor.
While a public supporter of Trump, Vance has not always backed him in private. In 2016, Vance alluded to the idea that Trump might be “America’s Hitler” in a Facebook message to his former college roommate, Georgia State Sen. Josh McLaurin.
McLaurin released a post on X Monday afternoon reiterating his distaste for Trump’s new running mate.
“I’m the guy JD Vance sent the ‘America’s Hitler’ text to in 2016. He was my roommate in law school,” McLaurin wrote. “Obviously he’s a sellout, but the bigger deal is he’s angry and vindictive. The perfect fit for Trump’s revenge. JD’s rise is a triumph for angry jerks everywhere.”
Vance, a graduate of Yale Law School, has changed his once anti-Trump-tone in recent years after the former president endorsed his 2022 run for United States Senate.
Regarding Vance’s flip to a Trump supporter, Florida State Sen. Ileana Garcia, a convention delegate, told CNS: “It wouldn’t be the first time that they see the light.”
The 39 year-old Marine veteran brings a youth to the Republican ticket that other contenders for the position – Marco Rubio, 53, Tim Scott, 58 and Doug Burgum, 67 – did not.
Gregory Fuller, an alternate delegate from Salinas, California, said “J.D. Vance has a short but stellar record, I would say, in terms of his political career. And I’m looking forward to seeing how it goes.”
“He brings what we need to the ticket,” Ohio delegate Janet Creighton said moments after Vance’s nomination became official. “He brings youth, intelligence, and he’s a leader.”
Creighton added that she would have been happy with any of the final candidates for the vice presidential spot. Some delegates from Florida, on the other hand, did not agree.
“I wish it would have been Rubio,” Garcia said. “It’s what President Trump deems fit…I hope that J.D. Vance continues to help our cause, which is the freedom cause.”
Vance did not address the convention before an afternoon recess was called. He will deliver an acceptance speech later in the week.
Trump was in Milwaukee but did not speak to the convention Monday. He is scheduled to deliver his nomination acceptance speech to close the convention on Thursday night.
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