Vice President JD Vance to Release New Memoir on Faith, Sparking 2028 Campaign Talk
Vice President JD Vance has announced the upcoming release of his new book, "Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith." HarperCollins Publishers, the same company that released his bestselling 2016 memoir "Hillbilly Elegy," is set to publish the book on June 16. The memoir will delve into Vance's personal religious journey, focusing on his adult conversion to Catholicism.
"Communion" will explore why Vance's Christian faith from his youth did not fully take root and how he ultimately regained it.
Fueling 2028 Presidential Speculation
The announcement has significantly intensified speculation regarding a potential presidential campaign for Vance in 2028. Vance, currently 41 years old, has previously stated he would consider a presidential run after the 2026 midterm elections. Releasing books is a well-established strategy for presidential hopefuls to connect with new audiences and articulate their message. This practice is not unique to Vance, as several potential Democratic candidates for 2028 are also publishing or planning to release books this year.
Inside "Communion" and its Political Context
Vance personally penned the 304-page book, working on it intermittently since 2019. The memoir will also include details from his experiences in politics. While other vice presidents have published books, Vance would be the first in recent memory to do so while actively serving in office. An earlier religious memoir project from Vance was put on hold in 2022, with some of that material now incorporated into "Communion."
Vance's conversion to Catholicism occurred in 2019. He has stated that his new faith provided a profound sense of purpose that he had not discovered through his Yale education or his career in the financial industry.
Vance converted to Catholicism in 2019, finding a sense of purpose he previously lacked.
Vance's Journey: From Author to Vice President
Vance first gained widespread public attention with his 2016 memoir, "Hillbilly Elegy," which chronicled his rural upbringing. The book's popularity surged following Donald Trump's 2016 presidential victory, and it was later adapted into a 2020 film by Ron Howard. Initially a critic of Donald Trump, Vance later became a close political ally. He was elected as a Republican Senator for Ohio in 2022 and subsequently became the youngest vice president since Richard Nixon, following his selection as Trump's running mate.
Second Lady Usha Vance Launches New Podcast
In separate news, Vance's wife, Usha Vance, announced on Monday the debut of her new podcast, "Storytime with the Second Lady." The podcast aims to promote reading among children. The Vances are parents to three young children and are expecting their fourth child in late July.