JD Vance to assist Republicans in reclaiming the political center

When Donald Trump launched his bid for the GOP in 2015, it left pundits and conservatives alike baffled. His unconventional approach, questioning orthodoxies like free trade and entitlements, actually boosted his appeal, particularly among working- and lower-middle-class Americans who ultimately helped him win the White House.

By choosing JD Vance as his running mate for 2024, Trump signals the enduring presence of populism and the shift away from the pre-Trump GOP. Vance, a 39-year-old senator from Ohio, understands the challenges faced by downscale America and has channeled his anger into bipartisan reform.

Vance’s selection as vice-president nominee reflects a translation of Trumpian energies into lasting reforms that resonate with a protectionist economic approach and respect for cultural stability, without overly rigid social conservatism.

Initially, Vance shared a message of individual self-help in his 2016 memoir “Hillbilly Elegy,” but his views have evolved. He now incorporates Catholic social teaching into his reform ideas, recognizing the role of social structures in promoting the public good for working people.

Vance’s unique political perspective combines left-wing social democracy and right-wing personal uplift, challenging traditional conservative and liberal beliefs while advocating for practical and sensible reforms in the Senate.

As part of the new political center, Vance represents an opportunity to align with the majority of Americans, moving away from extreme ideologies on both ends of the spectrum.

Sohrab Ahmari, a former Post op-ed editor, is a co-founder of Compact magazine. Twitter: @SohrabAhmari