Usha Vance, the wife of Senator J.D. Vance, made her debut on the national stage during a speech at the Republican National Convention. She shared the story of their relationship, emphasizing their different backgrounds and how they complement each other.
The couple first met at Yale Law School, where Usha helped J.D. organize his ideas for his memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy.” Their marriage in 2014 in Kentucky marked the beginning of their family, which now includes three children. Usha, the daughter of Indian immigrants, has mostly stayed out of the spotlight despite her husband’s political rise.
During her speech, Usha portrayed J.D. as a working-class hero who had overcome significant challenges in his life. She highlighted his determination to build a strong family, contrasting his upbringing in Ohio with her own middle-class upbringing in San Diego. Usha, who was a registered Democrat in 2014 but is now a registered Republican, praised J.D. for embracing her background and customs, including adapting to her vegetarian diet and learning to cook Indian food for her mother.
With her own impressive educational and career background, including a bachelor’s degree from Yale and a Gates Fellowship at Cambridge, Usha highlighted J.D.’s commitment to keeping people safe and creating opportunities in the Senate. She assured delegates that these priorities would continue if he were elected as vice president in the upcoming election.
Despite their different backgrounds and experiences, Usha emphasized that J.D. has remained true to himself since they first met, jokingly noting the only change being his beard. As the couple continues to navigate the political spotlight, Usha’s support and perspective add depth to J.D.’s campaign and vision for the future.