Vice President JD Vance endorsed fellow Republican Vivek Ramaswamy for governor of Ohio during a speech in his hometown of Middletown, praising him as a candidate who would make an exceptional leader.
The endorsement took place on August 21 at the Cleveland-Cliffs steel plant—where Vance’s grandfather worked for nearly four decades—during an announcement regarding a $1 billion investment in the facility’s operations. Sharing the stage with steelworkers and political figures, Vance also humorously recounted an internet meme involving Ramaswamy and his own six-year-old son, who shares the name Vivek.
Focus on Domestic Jobs and Manufacturing
Vance’s address centered primarily on the administration’s “America-first” agenda, emphasizing manufacturing, trade, and immigration policies designed to prioritize domestic workers:
Job Creation: Vance argued that U.S. corporations should focus on training and hiring local workers rather than relying on foreign labor.
Tariffs and Investments: The vice president highlighted that the administration rewards domestic investments while utilizing tariffs against businesses that shift production overseas.
Immigration Stance: Asserting that strict immigration enforcement has shifted employment gains toward native workers, Vance criticized political opponents for policies he claimed disadvantaged American taxpayers and laborers.
