Democrats Pivot from Trump to Take on Vance as 2028 Frontrunner
While Donald Trump remains a primary target for Democrats, a growing number of the party's prominent figures are strategically shifting their focus to Vice President JD Vance. This pivot is driven by Vance's status as the Republican heir apparent to the coalition that twice elected Trump to the White House, with Democrats aiming to define him early for the 2028 presidential race.
Beshear Leads the Charge in Vance's Home County
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear recently exemplified this strategy by traveling to Vance's home county in Ohio. During a Democratic fundraiser in Butler County, Beshear accused the vice president of abandoning the very communities he chronicled in his memoir, Hillbilly Elegy. Beshear asserted that Vance's book "trafficked in tired stereotypes" and labeled it "hillbilly hate" and "poverty tourism," claiming Vance isn't truly from Appalachia.
Beshear, a rare Democrat leading a red state, is positioning himself as someone who can reach voters who have tuned out his party. He argued that Democrats can win back voters by focusing on basic needs like affordable healthcare and public safety, rather than talking down to them.
Vance's Working-Class Roots Under Scrutiny
Vance was born and raised in Butler County's Middletown and rose to prominence with the publication of Hillbilly Elegy in 2016. The book earned him a reputation as someone who could explain Trump's appeal among working-class, rural white voters. This background has been central to his political career, from his U.S. Senate win in 2022 to his vice presidency, and is likely to feature in any future presidential run.
Democrats are now working to undercut this narrative. At the fundraiser, the mere mention of Vance's name drew boos from the audience. Theresa Vacheresse, a retired physician and business owner who attended, said, "I don't think he's got the magic that everybody looks at with Trump. I think when Trump is gone, the Democrats might have a chance."
Democratic Strategists See Early Definition as Crucial
Lis Smith, a Democratic strategist who led Pete Buttigieg's 2020 campaign, emphasized the importance of defining Vance now. "With every day that passes, we get closer to a day when Donald Trump is no longer president. And we need to prepare for that day," Smith said. "Right now, JD Vance is a clear front-runner for the 2028 nomination. And so we should begin defining him—not in 2027, not in 2028—but today."
Smith added that every line of criticism against Vance serves as an audition for Democrats, showing they could potentially face him on the debate stage.
Other Democrats Join the Fray
U.S. Representative Ro Khanna of California was among the first Democrats to focus on Vance last year, giving speeches at the City Club of Cleveland and Yale University to cast Vance as more extreme than Trump. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, another potential 2028 contender, singled out Vance in November, calling him a "total phony" compared to Trump's transparency.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has also taken an aggressive approach, coining the nickname "JD 'Just Dance' Vance" on social media and mocking Vance's appearance, saying he "grew a beard and lost his spine."
Vance's Team Dismisses Criticism
Vance spokesperson Taylor Van Kirk brushed off Beshear's criticism, suggesting it was a publicity stunt. "Every time Andy Beshear attacks the vice president to try to get himself publicity, he ends up humiliating himself in the process, but maybe that's something he's into?" she said.
Historical Context: Vice Presidents as Targets
The focus on Vance is not unusual for a vice president widely seen as a potential future nominee, especially at age 41. Republicans similarly targeted Kamala Harris early in her tenure under President Joe Biden to undermine her political future. Jamal Simmons, Harris's former communications director, noted that vice presidents can be vulnerable because "the party is built to defend the president more than it is the vice president."
David Axelrod, a top adviser to President Barack Obama, added, "Being vice president is a very mixed blessing. You often don't have the assets of the president, but you inherit all of the president's record. The good, the bad, and the ugly."
Beshear's Appeal in Trump Country
Beshear highlighted his success in reaching voters in traditionally Republican areas, such as eastern Kentucky counties that voted heavily for Trump. He won Breathitt County by 22 points, despite Trump carrying it by 59 points. Audience members at the fundraiser praised Beshear's message, with Mark Kaplan of Butler County calling him "first-rate" for his compassion, empathy, charisma, and down-to-earth demeanor.
The strategic pivot to Vance reflects a broader Democratic effort to prepare for a post-Trump political landscape, with early attacks aimed at weakening a key Republican figure ahead of the 2028 election.
