Usha Vance, the Indian American lawyer and wife of vice-presidential nominee JD Vance, has become a symbol of generational shift and increasing diversity within the Republican Party. At 38, Usha represents a new wave of political figures, bringing a fresh perspective to the traditional Republican ranks.
Usha, a corporate lawyer and former registered Democrat, has a unique background that resonates with many Americans. She is the daughter of Indian immigrants, Krish and Lakshmi Chilukuri, who settled in California. Krish is an engineer and university lecturer, while Lakshmi is a biologist and college provost. Usha grew up in a religious Hindu household, which she credits for her strong values and sense of faith. "I did grow up in a religious household. My parents are Hindu. That was one of the things that made them good parents, made them good people," Usha said in a recent interview with Fox News.
Her journey to the national stage began at Yale Law School, where she met her future husband, JD Vance. Together, they organized a discussion group on "social decline in white America," a theme central to JD's bestselling memoir, Hillbilly Elegy. The couple's relationship was chronicled in the memoir and later in a Netflix adaptation, where Usha was portrayed by Freida Pinto. JD has often praised Usha as his "Yale spirit guide," noting how she helped him navigate the challenges of law school and life.
Despite their seemingly different backgrounds, Usha and JD found common ground in their commitment to each other and their shared values. They married in an interfaith ceremony in Kentucky in 2014, and Usha clerked for Brett Kavanaugh, who would later become a U.S. Supreme Court justice. She also served as a law clerk for Chief Justice John Roberts, adding to her impressive legal credentials.
To my friends in India,
Did you know that Trump's Vice President, J.D. Vance, is married to a beautiful and proud Hindu woman, Usha Chilukuri Vance? She is a highly accomplished attorney and the daughter of hardworking Indian immigrants.
I love what she said in an interview… pic.twitter.com/43FXKm3AMo — Amy Mek (@AmyMek) July 16, 2024
Usha's professional achievements are notable. She was an editor of the Yale Law Journal, managing editor of the Yale Journal of Law & Technology, and participated in pro bono legal work. She also holds a master's in philosophy from the University of Cambridge. Her career at the law firm Munger, Tolles & Olson focused on civil litigation and appeals, where she represented high-profile clients like the Walt Disney Company and the Regents of the University of California.
Her shift from a registered Democrat to supporting her husband's Republican candidacy has sparked interest and speculation. Usha voted in the Republican primary in 2022, aligning her political support with JD's Senate run in Ohio. This transition reflects a broader trend of evolving political identities and the complex landscape of modern American politics.
In a recent Fox News interview, Usha discussed the possibility of JD becoming Donald Trump's running mate. "I don't know that anyone is ever ready for that kind of scrutiny," she said. "But I really, you know, believe in JD, and I really love him. And so we'll just sort of see what happens with our lives."
As the couple navigates the political spotlight, Usha remains a steadfast supporter of her husband. At the Republican National Convention, she was by JD's side as members of the Ohio delegation chanted his name. JD acknowledged her influence, saying, "Usha definitely brings me back to earth a little bit, and if I maybe get a little bit too cocky or a little too proud, I just remind myself that she is way more accomplished than I am."
Usha's presence on the national stage has been welcomed by many Republicans as a sign of the party's growing diversity. Danny Willis, chair of Delaware Young Republicans, expressed pride in her role, saying, "With this ticket, with the show of diversity in what would be the second gentleman and second lady of the United States, I'm extremely proud to be a Hispanic male and a Republican."
However, some political analysts believe Usha's inclusion could have strategic electoral benefits. John Zogby, a pollster and author, noted, "Indian Americans are rising in influence in the United States. They're heavily Democratic - or at least they have been - in their voting patterns, so if there's an opportunity to chip away at that and even get a small percentage that could be vital, especially in those swing states."
