A “Never Trumper” is now the former president’s hand-picked running mate.

Earlier today, on the eve of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, reports confirmed that Ohio’s J.D. Vance has been selected among a group of Republicans to be the running mate of former president Donald Trump. Although Vance was a staunch opponent of Trump in 2016, the 39-year-old is expected to accept the position. As expected, responses to the decision is widespread along party lines.

Here is the official tweet on X from the Virgina GOP:

Biden-Harris 2024 Chair Jen O’Malley Dillon released the following statement in response to Donald Trump naming J.D. Vance as his running mate:

“Donald Trump picked J.D. Vance as his running mate because Vance will do what Mike Pence wouldn’t on January 6: bend over backwards to enable Trump and his extreme MAGA agenda, even if it means breaking the law and no matter the harm to the American people.

“As Trump’s running mate, Vance will make it his mission to enact Trump’s Project 2025 agenda at the expense of American families. This is someone who supports banning abortion nationwide while criticizing exceptions for rape and incest survivors; railed against the Affordable Care Act , including its protections for millions with preexisting conditions; and has admitted he wouldn’t have certified the free and fair election in 2020.  

“Billionaires and corporations are literally rooting for J.D. Vance: they know he and Trump will cut their taxes and send prices skyrocketing for everyone else.

“Over the next three and a half months, we will spend every single day making the case between the two starkly contrasting visions Americans will choose between at the ballot box this November: the Biden-Harris ticket who’s focused on uniting the country, creating an opportunity for everyone, and lowering costs; or Trump-Vance – whose harmful agenda will take away Americans’ rights, hurt the middle class, and make life more expensive  – all while benefiting the ultra-rich and greedy corporations.”

The Democratic National Convention Chair Jamie Harrison released this statement:

“This is the most consequential election of our lifetimes, and with Trump’s decision today to add J.D. Vance to the Republican ticket, the stakes of this election just got even higher. J.D. Vance embodies MAGA – with an out-of-touch extreme agenda and plans to help Donald Trump force his Project 2025 agenda on the American people. Vance has championed and enabled Trump’s worst policies for years – from a national abortion ban, to whitewashing January 6, to railing against Social Security and Medicare. Let’s be clear: A Trump-Vance ticket would undermine our democracy, our freedoms, and our future. There is so much on the line, and it’s more important than ever that we reelect President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris this November.”