A former House Republican has issued a scathing rebuke of Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) — one of the names on former President Donald Trump’s vice presidential shortlist — saying the Ohio senator is “completely unqualified” for the position.
Former Rep. David Jolly, who left the GOP in 2018 and joined the Forward Party, said Vance does not possess the adequate qualifications to be Trump’s running mate.
During an interview on MSNBC, Jolly criticized Vance after seeing a report that Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Vance and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum were the three finalists to join Trump’s ticket.
“Look, I think Rubio and Burgum are two very safe picks and I think they both check the governing and experience box,” Jolly said. “I think J.D. Vance is completely unqualified.”
“As a country, we should want somebody qualified to serve,” he added. “And I think Rubio, Burgum, whatever you think of their ideology, check that box.”
The Washington Examiner noted that Vance has become one of the prominent choices for Trump’s vice president given his record defending the former president since taking office in 2023.
During an appearance on ABC News, Vance even said he would not have noted to certify the 2020 presidential election.
The Ohio congressman was also seen outside the Manhattan courthouse supporting Trump during his hush money trial alongside other prominent Republicans.
Vance is only 39 years old and if chosen to be vice president, could eventually run for president should Trump win in November.
Burgum, Rubio and Vance are just some of the people floated to be Trump’s running mate. Other names include Reps. Byron Donalds (R-FL), Elise Stefanik (R-NY) as well as entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.
The former president has indicated that he will announce his running mate close to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which is scheduled to take place on July 15.
In June, when asked about the possibility of joining Trump’s ticket, Vance said he would be “disappointed” if the former president did not choose him.
“I’m human, right?” Vance said during an interview with Fox News. “So when you know this thing is a possibility, if it doesn’t happen, there is certainly going to be a little bit of disappointment.”
During the interview, Vance was asked if he was on Trump’s vice presidential shortlist, to which he said he was probably one of the finalists.
“They’ll ask me if they ask me, and if they don’t that’s fine,” the Ohio Republican said.
When asked about the possibility of him debating Vice President Kamala Harris should President Joe Biden remain the Democratic presidential nominee, Vance joked that he would be prepared to face Harris — a former prosecutor — since his wife is a former clerk for Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.
“I have to debate this litigator all the time, so I think I’d do OK there,” Vance said.
Vance said he would advocate for increasing manufacturing jobs, expanding school choice programs and securing the southern border by focusing on deportations and finishing construction of the wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
