JD Vance and a former Yale Law School classmate, Sofia Nelson, were once close friends, but their relationship soured in 2021. Nelson, now a public defender in Detroit, shared about 90 emails and text messages with The New York Times, shedding light on their interactions from 2014 to 2017.
The emails reveal how Vance transitioned from being a vocal critic of former President Donald J. Trump to becoming his running mate. They also highlight Vance’s acceptance of Nelson, who is transgender, offering a glimpse into his cultural openness.
Despite their falling out in 2021 over Vance’s public support for an Arkansas ban on gender-affirming care for minors, Nelson hopes that sharing these emails will help voters better understand Vance’s character and beliefs. The Vance campaign, on the other hand, expressed disappointment that private conversations between friends from a decade ago were made public.
In one exchange from October 2014, Nelson expressed her disdain for the police in the aftermath of the killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. She suggested that police officers should be required to wear body cameras, sparking a discussion between her and Vance.
The emails provide a window into Vance’s evolving views, as he explains that becoming a father and starting a family prompted him to reconsider some of his beliefs. Despite their disagreements, Vance maintains that he values his friendship with Nelson and wishes her the best.
The insights from these emails offer a glimpse into the personal and political journey of JD Vance, as he navigates changing perspectives and relationships over time. The correspondence between Vance and Nelson underscores the complexities of human connections and the impact of differing beliefs on friendships.