COLUMBUS, Ohio — Former President Donald Trump on Monday chose U.S. Sen. JD Vance of Ohio to be his running mate as he looks to return to the White House. Here are some things to know about Vance, a 39-year-old Republican now in his first term in the Senate: Vance rose to prominence with the memoir ‘Hillbilly Elegy’ Vance was born and raised in Middletown, Ohio.