Sen. JD Vance, a Republican from Ohio, is set to help former President Donald Trump raise money at a fundraiser in Cincinnati next month. The event, scheduled for May 15, will feature Vance as a special guest alongside Trump. Host committee members are being asked to contribute or raise $250,000 per couple, while attendees can contribute $100,000 per couple or $50,000 per person. All funds raised will go to the Trump 47 joint fundraising committee. Vance, who lives in Cincinnati and has been a strong Trump ally in Ohio, may be using this event as an opportunity to showcase his potential as a vice presidential running mate.
During Trump’s first run for president, he publicly auditioned potential running mates at rallies before ultimately selecting Mike Pence. However, such public spectacles have not yet been seen in Trump’s third White House bid due to his involvement in the hush money trial in New York. Despite this, Trump has rallies planned in Wisconsin and Michigan, both key Midwest battleground states. Trump’s campaign spokesperson emphasized that only Trump himself knows the timing and selection process for choosing a vice presidential candidate, making predictions uncertain.
Vance endorsed Trump during the crowded 2022 Senate primary, earning the former president’s support in return. They recently joined forces in Ohio to support Bernie Moreno, who won the GOP Senate primary with Trump’s backing. Vance actively engaged with high-level donors to fund the rally headlined by Trump, held by the Buckeye Values PAC in support of Moreno. Moreno will face Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in what is expected to be a closely contested Senate race in Ohio, a state that Trump won in both 2016 and 2020.
Vance stated in a Fox News interview that while he has not discussed the vice presidency with Trump, he would consider the opportunity if asked to join the ticket. Vance is one of several potential vice presidential candidates expected to attend a Trump 47 spring retreat in Palm Beach, Florida, alongside other notable figures such as Sens. Marco Rubio and Tim Scott, Govs. Doug Burgum and Kristi Noem, and Rep. Elise Stefanik. Ohio, once a pivotal swing state in presidential elections, has become less predictable in recent years, with Trump securing victories by significant margins in 2016 and 2020.
The upcoming fundraiser in Cincinnati, where Vance resides, could serve as a platform for him to showcase his loyalty to Trump and solidify his standing as a potential vice presidential contender. Trump’s involvement in legal matters may limit his campaign activities, but scheduled rallies in key states indicate ongoing efforts to engage with his voter base. The selection of a vice presidential running mate remains uncertain, with Trump’s campaign spokesperson emphasizing that only Trump himself knows the decision-making process. Vance’s participation in the fundraising event and other campaign activities suggest a close alliance with Trump and potential aspirations for a significant role in the 2024 presidential election.
