JD Vance by the numbers: First speech signals heavy campaign presence in battleground Rust Belt

Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, gave his first speech since receiving the Republican Party's nomination for vice president on Wednesday, and it could offer a look into his future role on the presidential campaign trail. The "Hillbilly Elegy" author mentioned his home state of Ohio 12 times during his remarks. We gotta win Michigan too here," Vance, an Ohio State University alumnus, said to the crowd. The second most-mentioned states were Michigan and Pennsylvania, with both being talked about by Vance six times. Sen. JD Vance promised not to forget where he came from, referring to the Rust Belt, when speaking at the RNC. Kentucky was also a significant state for Vance, as he spent a portion of his childhood there with his grandmother, "Mamaw." The state, which differs from the others as it traditionally votes red, was also mentioned by the Republican four times. Vance also referenced three times the pivotal Midwestern battleground state of Wisconsin, where the Republican National Convention is taking place. His heavy emphasis on these Rust Belt states comes as former President Trump has already signaled his intent to use Vance to his advantage in Midwestern swing states. "[Trump] just said, 'Look, I think I've got to go save this country.