Tech Bro in the White House: Silicon Valley Conservatives Hopeful with J.D. Vance as Running Mate

In a move that has raised hopes among Silicon Valley conservatives, former President Donald Trump has chosen J.D. Vance, a venture capitalist and author, as his running mate for the upcoming election. Vance’s background in the tech industry has led many to believe that he could be a bridge between the tech world and Washington D.C.

Vance, 39, has had a rapid ascent in American politics, serving only two years in the U.S. Senate representing Ohio. His selection as Trump’s running mate has sparked excitement among right-leaning investors, who see him as a fellow "tech bro" who can help them gain influence in the White House.

"WE HAVE A FORMER TECH VC IN THE WHITE HOUSE. GREATEST COUNTRY ON EARTH BABY," tweeted Delian Asparouhov, a partner at billionaire investor Peter Thiel’s venture capital firm Founders Fund.

Thiel, a well-known conservative in the tech industry, has been a vocal supporter of Vance and has invested in his successful U.S. Senate campaign in 2022. Vance has also received support from other prominent tech figures, including venture capitalist Marc Andreessen and entrepreneur Elon Musk.

Vance’s selection as running mate has also sparked hope among conservatives in the tech industry that they may finally have a voice in the White House. "He has a direct line to some important influencers as he’s evaluating or thinking through some of the policy around tech," said Matt Murphy, a partner at venture capital firm Menlo Ventures.

Despite his background in the tech industry, Vance has taken a stance on some issues that may not align with the views of all conservatives. He has called for Google to be broken up, a position that is at odds with some conservatives who chafe at government regulation.

However, Vance’s supporters believe that his understanding of the tech industry and his willingness to work with entrepreneurs and investors could be a game-changer for the tech industry. "A good understanding of the way freedom and startups drive growth in our economy is critical for the continued success of the Silicon Valley, our nation’s ‘golden goose,’" said Tim Draper, a venture capitalist and crypto investor.

The Trump-Vance campaign has not commented on Vance’s ties to Silicon Valley or his proposed tech policies, but Vance’s supporters are hopeful that he will bring a new level of understanding and influence to the White House.

Additional Reporting: Krystal Hu, Jeffrey Dastin in San Francisco; Dawn Chmielewski in Los Angeles; Helen Coster in Milwaukee; Writing by Katie Paul in New York; Editing by Howard Goller