‘A humbling experience’: JD Vance visits family cemetery in Eastern Kentucky
JD Vance, who is set to be sworn in as vice president in one week, made a visit to Breathitt County on Monday to pay his respects to family buried in a cemetery there.
“Five generations of my family are buried in a small cemetery in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky,” Vance said in a statement. “It was a humbling experience to visit that gravesite today as I prepare to be sworn in next week with President Trump.”
Vance has regularly touted his ties to Kentucky, noting that his great-grandmother had a home in Jackson as he referenced in his national best-selling book, “Hillbilly Elegy.”
During his speech at the Republican National Convention this summer, Vance weaved his Kentucky roots into his address, declaring that he will ultimately be buried in the commonwealth. Vance said that the people of Eastern Kentucky represent “the source of America’s greatness” and even cited Kentucky in the story of his proposal to his wife, Usha.
“Honey, I come with $120,000 worth of law school debt and a cemetery plot on a mountainside in Eastern Kentucky,” he said. “And I guess standing here tonight it’s gotten weirder and weirder, honey.”
During the presidential campaign this summer when he was being considered to be Kamala Harris’ running mate, Gov. Andy Beshear targeted Vance’s claim on Kentucky roots.
“Let me just tell you; JD Vance ain’t from here,” Beshear said at the time. “This is a person who visited Kentucky during the summers or came for funerals or reunions, and he wants to judge us.
“[Vance] tries to judge Eastern Kentuckians. This guy who visits every now and then is going to call us lazy? That’s offensive to me, and it’s my job to stand up for fellow Kentuckians.”
On Monday afternoon, video began circulating on social media showing Vance walking around Jackson and greeting customers in local stores, leading to speculation around the point of his visit.
“My ancestors who are buried in that cemetery fought tirelessly for the American ideals we will be entrusted to uphold. It’s both an honor and a privilege that someone with my upbringing can go on to become the vice president of the United States,” Vance said in a statement following the speculation.
“America is the only country in the world where a journey like mine is possible, and I look forward to working with President Trump to ensure that this nation continues to be a place where people of humble beginnings can go on to achieve great things.”
This story was originally published January 13, 2025 at 5:15 PM with the headline "‘A humbling experience’: JD Vance visits family cemetery in Eastern Kentucky."
