Swing state Republicans think Vance could be key appeal for Trump in blue stronghold

Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump applauds as Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance gestures on Day 2 of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz)

Former President Trump’s allies are looking at his selection of Sen. JD Vance as a key appeal to Midwestern voters – and some New York Republican lawmakers hope it’ll give the GOP a boost in their state, too.

House Republicans representing the Democratic stronghold state held a media event on the sidelines of the Republican National Convention (RNC) on Tuesday, a day after Trump named Vance as his running mate in 2024 election.

Reps. Nicole Malliotakis and Mike Lawler both pointed to Vance’s pro-union stances, which line up with policies that have won support in their districts as well.

Malliotakis pointed out that Teamsters Union President Sean O’Brien, who spoke at the convention on Monday night, shouted out a handful of Republican lawmakers including herself, Vance and Lawler "as people who have been working with labor."

"I think that’s an area where – in New York, I have one of the largest districts of labor union representation, in membership. And I think that’s where JD Vance is going to resonate with working men and women," Malliotakis said. "Republicans are the ones creating jobs for these unions."