Who is Usha Vance, the next second lady of the United States?

Usha Vance has been by JD Vance’s side through all his introductions to the American people – as a bestselling author, a senator and the Republican VP nominee.

JD Vance has had several introductions to the American people: as the author of a memoir on what ails the White working class, a newly elected Republican senator in his home state of Ohio, a controversial running mate pick and the next vice president of the United States. His wife, Usha, has been a key part of each iteration. More than most political spouses, she has avoided the spotlight and favored a more private, background role on the Trump campaign. But the Yale-educated lawyer was beside her husband at Donald Trump’s election night watch party in West Palm Beach as voters made him the 47th president – and her, in turn, the first Asian American second lady. She is also the first second lady with a Hindu background. JD Vance thanked her for “making it possible to do this” in a post on X after the Republican ticket’s win. The future second lady has avoided talking about how she would approach the role. Asked what subject areas she’d focus on, she told NBC News last month that she would “see what happens on November 5, and collect some information myself and take it from there.” “This is such an intense and busy experience that I have not given a ton of thought to my own roles and responsibilities,” she said. “It’s not something I’m terribly familiar with.”