TOI World Desk
Usha Vance, wife of Ohio Senator JD Vance, has undergone a significant political transformation, moving from a former Democrat who supported Hillary Clinton to fully embracing the MAGA agenda.
In January 2023, shortly after JD Vance was sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris, he publicly acknowledged his wife’s crucial role in his political career. “I am going to try to not get too emotional here, but just say to get to represent the people of Ohio in the United States Senate is a dream come true for me, and I wouldn’t be here without Usha.So thank you, honey, from the bottom of my heart,” JD said during the ceremony.
Usha’s shift in political alignment has attracted attention given her previous Democratic leanings. Around 2016, JD Vance mentioned to a friend that Usha planned to vote for Hillary Clinton. Usha, who was previously registered as a Democrat, comes from a family with Democratic ties. According to New York times her parents remain registered as Democrats, and her mother, Lakshmi Chilukuri, signed a letter urging then-President Trump to uphold the Paris Climate Accords.
Usha has had a distinguished career, with extensive time spent at elite institutions including Yale and Cambridge, and working at the progressive law firm Munger, Tolles & Olson. Despite her background, she has publicly supported her husband’s MAGA agenda.
The Vance’s partnership began at Yale Law School, where Usha, daughter of Indian immigrant academics, and JD, a Marine veteran from a working-class background, met. Their relationship quickly developed, with Usha playing a supportive role in JD’s career.
In recent months, Usha’s shift to supporting the MAGA platform has been evident. Jai Chabria, an early political advisor to JD, stated, “There’s no daylight there,” highlighting her alignment with her husband’s current political position.
Usha’s role has been significant behind the scenes. Following the success of JD’s book Hillbilly Elegy, Usha managed his schedule and communications while maintaining her career. After JD’s vice-presidential nomination, Usha resigned from her position at Munger, Tolles & Olson.
Usha also contributed to JD’s RNC speech, which focused on family and working-class issues, reflecting themes from his book. Although she avoids public campaigning, her support for JD remains steadfast.
JD’s campaign has faced challenges, including unfavorable ratings and a reception of his speeches that has not met expectations. Usha addressed these issues during a Fox & Friends appearance, noting, “That can be hard. Sometimes I don’t see it all and sometimes I do see it and I look at it and think well this is not the JD I know.”
Usha’s experience with political controversies, including her clerkship with Brett Kavanaugh during his Supreme Court confirmation hearings, has informed her approach to navigating political challenges. “I look back at it and I think about Mrs. Kavanaugh and the way that she carried herself and it showed a lot of strength and it’s a model for the way to proceed,” Usha said.
In January 2023, shortly after JD Vance was sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris, he publicly acknowledged his wife’s crucial role in his political career. “I am going to try to not get too emotional here, but just say to get to represent the people of Ohio in the United States Senate is a dream come true for me, and I wouldn’t be here without Usha.So thank you, honey, from the bottom of my heart,” JD said during the ceremony.
Usha’s shift in political alignment has attracted attention given her previous Democratic leanings. Around 2016, JD Vance mentioned to a friend that Usha planned to vote for Hillary Clinton. Usha, who was previously registered as a Democrat, comes from a family with Democratic ties. According to New York times her parents remain registered as Democrats, and her mother, Lakshmi Chilukuri, signed a letter urging then-President Trump to uphold the Paris Climate Accords.
Usha has had a distinguished career, with extensive time spent at elite institutions including Yale and Cambridge, and working at the progressive law firm Munger, Tolles & Olson. Despite her background, she has publicly supported her husband’s MAGA agenda.
The Vance’s partnership began at Yale Law School, where Usha, daughter of Indian immigrant academics, and JD, a Marine veteran from a working-class background, met. Their relationship quickly developed, with Usha playing a supportive role in JD’s career.
In recent months, Usha’s shift to supporting the MAGA platform has been evident. Jai Chabria, an early political advisor to JD, stated, “There’s no daylight there,” highlighting her alignment with her husband’s current political position.
Usha’s role has been significant behind the scenes. Following the success of JD’s book Hillbilly Elegy, Usha managed his schedule and communications while maintaining her career. After JD’s vice-presidential nomination, Usha resigned from her position at Munger, Tolles & Olson.
Usha also contributed to JD’s RNC speech, which focused on family and working-class issues, reflecting themes from his book. Although she avoids public campaigning, her support for JD remains steadfast.
JD’s campaign has faced challenges, including unfavorable ratings and a reception of his speeches that has not met expectations. Usha addressed these issues during a Fox & Friends appearance, noting, “That can be hard. Sometimes I don’t see it all and sometimes I do see it and I look at it and think well this is not the JD I know.”
Usha’s experience with political controversies, including her clerkship with Brett Kavanaugh during his Supreme Court confirmation hearings, has informed her approach to navigating political challenges. “I look back at it and I think about Mrs. Kavanaugh and the way that she carried herself and it showed a lot of strength and it’s a model for the way to proceed,” Usha said.