Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance is confident that the historically Democratic ‘blue wall’ states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin will turn red in the upcoming November election. These states, crucial battlegrounds, were won by President Biden in 2020 after being narrowly captured by former President Trump eight years ago. Vance, a first-term senator and strong Trump ally, stated in an interview with Fox News that the GOP ticket’s pro-manufacturing and pro-American worker message would resonate with the working-class voters in these states.
Vance, who hails from Ohio, a state neighboring Pennsylvania and Michigan, emphasizes his Midwestern and working-class roots as key factors in Trump’s decision to name him as his running mate. Prior to his Senate bid, Vance gained national attention through his best-selling book “Hillbilly Elegy,” which highlights his upbringing in a struggling steel mill city and his ties to Appalachian Kentucky. The values portrayed in his book resonated with many working-class Americans who became supporters of Trump’s policies. Vance’s focus during his campaign stops in the blue wall states has been to spread the working-class message of the GOP ticket.
Despite his roots and message, Democrats have criticized Vance, pointing to his years as a top hedge fund executive in San Francisco and his ties to billionaire Peter Thiel. Vice President Kamala Harris, who now leads the Democratic ticket for 2024 along with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, has accused Vance of being a ‘rubber stamp’ for Trump’s ‘extreme agenda.’ Harris and Vance face off in a highly contested battle for the blue wall states, where the competition remains fierce.
Last month’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, signaled the importance of the blue wall states in the upcoming election. Vance’s joint-campaign rally with Trump in Grand Rapids, Michigan, highlighted the unity within the GOP ticket. Vance’s emphasis on the working-class values and a focus on keeping manufacturing jobs in the US rather than outsourcing to China have been key components of his campaign strategy. By spreading this message, Vance aims to appeal to the residents of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
Vance’s personal anecdotes, including stories of his grandmother ‘Mamaw’ and his Midwestern folksiness, have become elements of his stump speech. His ability to connect with working-class voters through shared experiences and values has been an essential aspect of his campaign efforts. Vance’s dedication to the blue wall states, as evidenced by his repeated visits and focus on spreading the GOP message, underscores the significance of these key battlegrounds in the 2024 election. As the competition between the GOP and Democrats intensifies, the battle for the blue wall states is likely to shape the outcome of the election.
