Former President Donald Trump’s selection of Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance as his running mate on Monday drew widespread praise from Wyoming’s congressional delegation.
U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis told Cowboy State Daily Trump made a great pick with his selection.
“Senator Vance’s strong conservative record and steadfast dedication to our shared values will be an asset to a second Trump administration, and I congratulate him on being chosen to be the next Vice President of the United States,” Lummis said.
Just four days ago, Lummis joined Vance in introducing legislation to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in the federal government. The “Dismantle DEI Act” eliminates DEI programs within the federal government and rescinds President Joe Biden’s executive orders surrounding DEI.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) after the announcement, Barrasso said he was proud to call Vance his friend and colleague.
"He is the right pick for Vice President of the United States,” Barrasso said. “No one will work harder for the American people than President Trump and JD Vance.”
According to Reuters, Vance has similarly described Barrasso as a mentor.
U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman called the Vance decision “a phenomenal choice” and said she “can’t wait” to see his debates with Vice President Kamala Harris.
Once An Opponent
Vance, 39, is a relative political newcomer who only entered the U.S. Senate last year. He grew up in poverty in Ohio and Kentucky before entering the Marines and going to Yale Law School.
“J.D. Vance epitomizes the American dream,” Lummis said. “His rise from humble beginnings to the U.S. Senate and now Vice-Presidential nominee is an inspiration to young people across the country, and I am confident he will bring the same resiliency that led him to this point in his career with him to the executive branch.”
Like Hageman, Vance was initially critical of Trump in the lead up to the 2016 election, calling him an "idiot,” "reprehensible,” and according to Reuters, compared him to Adolf Hitler in one private Facebook message.
Barrasso told Reuters Vance shifted his views on Trump because “he saw the successes that President Trump as president brought to the country.”
By the time Vance ran for the Senate in 2022, he was a full-on Trump loyalist, dismissing Trump’s role in the Jan. 6 Capitol attacks and agreeing with the former president’s false claim that the 2020 election was stolen.
Vice presidential candidates are often chosen to add strengths that presidential candidates might lack. While Vance mirror’s Trump’s views politically, he is nearly 40 years younger than the former president.
The Liz Cheney Connection
Barrasso’s Common Values political action committee gave $5,000 to Vance’s 2022 campaign. In that race, Vance beat former Democratic congressman Tim Ryan, who was endorsed by former Wyoming congresswoman Liz Cheney.
According to Newsweek, a spokesperson for Vance at the time called her endorsement the "kiss of death" for Ryan's campaign. Vance ultimately won the election by a 6-point margin and has since emerged as an outspoken conservative voice in the Senate.
In February, Cheney sparred with Vance on social media when she said he was "unfit" for office because of his remarks saying a president could potentially defy the Supreme Court if it made an "illegitimate ruling."
Vance also said that he would have done what former Vice President Mike Pence wouldn’t do for Trump: refuse to certify the results of the 2020 election.
“That's tyranny. Neither Trump nor Vance is fit to serve,” Cheney wrote in response to Vance’s comments on X (formerly Twitter).
Although Vance declined to comment on the post, Donald Trump Jr. came to his defense—and recalled Cheney's primary defeat—in a post to X.
"That's funny, because the voters of Wyoming clearly decided that you weren't fit to serve, when they threw you out of office in an embarrassing 50 point blowout," he wrote.
What’s Next?
Sheridan resident Jeff Wallack was in attendance at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisc., serving as an alternate delegate when the VP news broke, an announcement he said was greeted with a “huge applause.”
“Loud was the reaction,” Wallack said. “Some were a bit surprised.”
Trump became the official Republican presidential nominee after receiving the votes of enough delegates at the convention. Vance’s confirmation was expected to follow suit.
Trump is scheduled to speak at the convention later this week.
Protestors At RNC Photo Gallery
Hundreds of protesters representing a variety of causes, gather outside of the Republican National Convention (RNC) on the opening day of the event on July 15, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Getty Images) 
Hundreds of protesters representing a variety of causes, gather outside of the Republican National Convention (RNC) on the opening day of the event on July 15, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Getty Images) 
People participate in the Coalition to March on the RNC on July 15, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Getty Images) 
Pro-Palestine and other protesters march through the streets of downtown Milwaukee as the Republican National Convention begins on July 15, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Getty Images) 
People participate in the Coalition to March on the RNC on July 15, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Getty Images) 
Pro-Palestine protesters march through the streets of downtown Milwaukee as the Republican National Convention begins on July 15, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Getty Images) 
(Cowboy State Daily Staff) 
People hop over barriers as they participate in the Coalition to March on the RNC on July 15, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Getty Images) 
Pro-Palestine and other protesters march through the streets of downtown Milwaukee as the Republican National Convention begins on July 15, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Getty Images) 
(Cowboy State Daily Staff)
