Trump Announces Ohio Sen. JD Vance as Running Mate

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Former President Donald Trump will officially receive his party’s nomination Monday at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, and his running mate is also expected to be formally introduced on the convention’s first day.

Trump, who will be on the ballot for the third consecutive election cycle, is hoping to become the second president to serve two non-consecutive terms, with former President Grover Cleveland winning elections in 1884 and 1892.

Speculation has been ongoing for months over who Trump will run for in the 2024 election, and the former president made his announcement on TruthSocial Monday afternoon, choosing Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance.

According to NBC News, Donald Trump’s nomination will be made official shortly after convention delegates confirm him Monday afternoon. The announcement is expected to come around 3:30 p.m., according to NBC News.

Vance, who was elected to the Senate in 2023 and has become a vocal defender of Trump’s policies, was one of four finalists for the job.

RNC Chairman Michael Whatley officially opened the convention with a moment of silence “to reflect on the terrible events that took place” in Pennsylvania on Saturday, “and to pray for the victims and their families.”

He rose to fame in 2016 when his memoir “Hillbilly Elegy” was published, describing his childhood in Ohio and the various economic challenges his family faced while living in rural areas of the state.

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who was elected to the Senate in 2011 after serving as speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, was also considered a finalist. He had previously run for president in 2016 but lost the nomination to Trump.

According to NBC News, Rubio and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum have been informed that they will not be Trump’s running mates in the 2024 election.

South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, who is also running for president in 2024, was named a finalist.

Here’s Who’s Expected to Speak at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee

After the announcement, Trump is expected to address delegates in his first public appearance since an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday. Trump suffered an ear injury and was rushed to an area hospital, but he was released and traveled to Milwaukee for the convention on Sunday night.

One person was killed and two others were seriously injured in the shooting, which is being investigated by the FBI.