Sen. Pete Ricketts says Trump VP pick JD Vance is ‘a very, very smart man’

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Sen. Pete Ricketts of Nebraska is in full support of Sen. J.D. Vance for vice president.

Ricketts voiced his approval on Monday after former President Donald Trump named Vance his VP pick.

“J.D., like I said, really has a great feel for what it’s like to live paycheck to paycheck,” Ricketts said.

Ricketts serves alongside Vance on the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging.

The Nebraska senator says he has spent quite a bit of time with the Ohio senator.

“He is a very, very smart man,” Ricketts said. “And one of the things I appreciate about J.D. is that he has a great connection to everyday Americans.”

Vance is a Yale Law School graduate and a veteran who served in the Marine Corps in Iraq.

He’s also well-known for his bestselling book “Hillbilly Elegy,” which is about his childhood riddled with poverty and abuse.

Vance was outspoken against Trump in 2016.

But he changed his tune in 2021 and apologized for his comments as he vied for a seat in the U.S. Senate.

Trump endorsed his campaign in 2022, and now Vance is his running mate.

Ricketts said Trump’s VP pick was good for Nebraskans.

“We’re struggling with the same things in Nebraska that they’re struggling with around the country,” he said. “We’re looking at high inflation. It’s not fun to go to the grocery store. These high prices make it so that people are really struggling to make ends meet. He also understands the importance of securing the border and the impact it’s having in our local communities.”

Dennis Jenkins, a Channel 8 viewer, also believes Vance will excel.

“He’s got a good educational background, he’s got a military background, and he’s a good, young aspect for our country,” Jenkins said.

Ricketts said Vance will bring a lot to the White House.

“I’m excited to be able to work for the Trump-Vance ticket,” he said.