Although J. D. Vance hasn't been in the political sphere for long, the former US senator became the vice-presidential pick in 2024 and was elected alongside President Donald Trump. Born in Middletown, Ohio, Vance went through many hardships in life. His mother had a drug addiction, and Vance experienced a rotating door of father figures growing up. His grandparents helped raise him and his older sister. Then after graduating from high school, Vance went to the Marine Corps, earned a degree from Yale Law School, and got into politics. Learn more about Vance's life and career, from writing his 2016 memoir to making waves at the 2024 Republican National Convention and being elected vice president.