News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/16th July 2024
On the first day of the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum, Ohio Senator JD Vance, accompanied by his wife Usha Chilukuri Vance, made a significant appearance. With current polls favoring the Republican ticket, Vance is likely to become the next Vice President of the United States, marking the second consecutive term with a Vice President closely connected to India.
JD Vance’s wife, Usha Chilukuri, is a prominent corporate litigator based in San Francisco. Her parents hail from India, and their wedding in Kentucky in 2014 featured a blessing by a Hindu pundit, reflecting their cultural heritage. This connection resonates with the current Vice President, Kamala Harris, whose mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was originally from Chennai, India.
JD Vance, selected by Donald J. Trump as his running mate, has a compelling personal and professional background. Raised in modest circumstances in Middletown, Ohio, Vance’s journey from humble beginnings to national prominence is remarkable. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Marines, serving as a combat journalist and public relations officer during the Iraq War.
Following his military service, Vance pursued higher education, earning an undergraduate degree in political science and philosophy from Ohio State University. He continued his academic journey at Yale Law School, where he served as an editor for the Yale Law Journal. Upon graduating from Yale in 2013, Vance briefly practiced law before transitioning to the tech industry as a venture capitalist in San Francisco. He notably worked at Mithril Capital, co-founded by PayPal’s Peter Thiel.
Vance’s rise to fame can be attributed to his best-selling book, “Hillbilly Elegy,” published in 2016. This autobiographical work offered a profound glimpse into the struggles of rural America, a demographic that played a crucial role in Trump’s initial ascent to power. The New York Times praised the book for its compassionate and discerning analysis of the white underclass, highlighting its significant impact on American politics. “Hillbilly Elegy” was later adapted into a feature-length film released in 2020, further cementing Vance’s influence.
As the Republican vice presidential candidate, Vance’s background and personal story add a unique dimension to the political landscape. His marriage to Usha Chilukuri Vance not only underscores his connection to India but also mirrors the multicultural representation seen with Kamala Harris. With the election drawing closer, Vance’s potential role as Vice President is set to bring both his personal narrative and his policy perspectives to the forefront of American politics.
The convention in Milwaukee serves as a pivotal moment for the Republican campaign, with JD Vance’s candidacy symbolizing a blend of traditional American values and modern multiculturalism. As voters prepare to make their decision, the story of JD Vance, from his service in Iraq to his venture capitalist career and his literary success, will undoubtedly be a central theme in the upcoming election.
