Monday welcomed the first day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Republican nominee and Former President Trump announced that U.S. Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio had been picked to run as his Vice President.

Trump broke the news in a post on his Truth Social account shortly before he became the official presidential nominee of the Republican Party Monday evening.

J.D. Vance, once a vocal critic of Trump, has become a close and outspoken ally of the former president. Vance is a first-term senator, a graduate of Yale Law School, and a Marine veteran.

The Mahoning Valley has seen J.D. Vance put much of his campaign effort for U.S. Senator in the Mahoning Valley back in 2022. He has devoted much attention to the continuing developments of the train derailment in East Palestine.

Vance has often worked as an advocate for the East Palestine community during the train derailment aftermath, sponsoring the bipartisan Rail Safety Act.

"J.D. Vance isn't a career politician," explained Ron Verb, political analyst and local radio personality. "Let's start with that. He's new to the Senate and I think that's one of the things that attracted Trump to him right off the bat. Also, I think he makes a great argument in representing what Trump represents. He can relate to him and he talks very similar to what President Trump talked about."

Since winning the U.S. Senate seat, he's helped pass nearly 400 bills, including the most recent authorizing the removal of a civil action or criminal prosecution against a former President.

He's sponsored legislation including the Dependent Controlled Substance Transparency Act, much legislation on securing the southern border, and the Safeguarding American Education From Foreign Control Act.

"They have a lot in common as far as issues are concerned," Verb added. "For example, their views on the war and foreign policy. Most importantly, he is not a political animal."

Verb believes Trump did not select options including Marco Rubio, because he did not want to "go down the rabbit hole" in selecting a career politician again, like Mike Pence. 

Verb also added it is nice to see a candidate who is a young 39-years old. "I truly think Trump picked Vance because he would be a good Vice President. And I find that refreshing," he said.

Verb believes Tulsi Gabbard would have been a useful alternate contender. 

"She is a female, former Democrat, physically attractive, and very bright when it comes to the war and certain issues that are happening. I would have loved to see that happen but I'll go with Vance. As an Ohioan, I'm pretty happy about that."

The RNC takes place until Thursday, July 18. Election Day falls on November 5, 2024.