Democrats are starting to treat Vice President JD Vance, not Donald Trump, as their number one focus among Republican leaders. That was evident Saturday night, when Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear visited Vance's home county in Ohio for a Democratic fundraiser. Beshear spoke about Vance's memoir and said "Hillbilly Elegy" leans on "tired stereotypes" about Appalachia. Other Democrats have also sharpened their criticism of Vance, calling the vice president an extremist or a phony. Democratic strategists say the goal is to undercut Vance before he can consolidate support as Trump's heir apparent for the White House in 2028.

When it comes to Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance's name, it's complicated. The senator from Ohio introduced himself to the world in 2016, when he published his bestselling memoir, "Hillbilly Elegy," under the name J.D. Vance, with periods between the initials for James David. Vance explained it wasn't the first iteration of his name. Over the course of his 39 years, Vance's first, middle and last names have all been altered. As Vance is being introduced to voters across the country as Donald Trump's running mate, his name has been the source of questions, including why he no longer uses periods in JD.

Donald Trump has selected Sen. JD Vance of Ohio as his Republican running mate. Vance swept to national prominence with his bestselling memoir, "Hillbilly Elegy." Vance was a vocal opponent of Trump during the 2016 presidential election but changed his position, arguing he was proved wrong by Trump's performance in office. Vance was rewarded for his turnaround during his bid for an open Senate seat in 2022, during which he landed Trump's coveted endorsement. Vance is now a Trump loyalist who challenges the legitimacy of criminal prosecutions and civil verdicts against him and questions the results of the 2020 election.