Democrats Sharpen Criticism of Vance as They Look Past Trump to 2028

Kentucky governor says vice president has abandoned the communities he wrote about in "Hillbilly Elegy"

Mar. 22, 2026 at 6:18pm

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Although President Donald Trump is the top Democratic nemesis, some of the party's most ambitious leaders are increasingly looking past him and at Vice President JD Vance. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear traveled to Vance's home county in Ohio, where he said the vice president had abandoned the communities that he wrote about in the memoir "Hillbilly Elegy", which Beshear said "trafficked in tired stereotypes." The broadside was a sign of Beshear's own potential presidential aspirations, as well as a reflection of Vance's status as the Republican heir apparent to the coalition that twice elected Trump to the White House.

Why it matters

Democrats see Vance as a clear front-runner for the 2028 presidential nomination, and are working to define him early before he can gain more political momentum. The party's ambitious leaders, including potential 2028 contenders like Beshear and Shapiro, are sharpening their criticism of Vance in an effort to undercut his appeal and reputation.

The details

Beshear said "Hillbilly Elegy" was "really hillbilly hate" and "poverty tourism" because Vance "ain't from Appalachia." U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna of California and California Gov. Gavin Newsom have also targeted Vance, with Newsom coining the nickname "JD 'Just Dance' Vance" and mocking his appearance. Democrats see every line of criticism as an "audition" for taking on Vance in a future presidential debate.

  • Beshear's comments came at a Democratic fundraiser in Butler County, Ohio on Saturday night.
  • Vance won election to the U.S. Senate in 2022 and later became vice president.

The players

Andy Beshear

The Democratic governor of Kentucky who is positioning himself as someone who can reach voters who have tuned out his party.

JD Vance

The Republican vice president who is seen as the heir apparent to the coalition that twice elected Donald Trump to the White House.

Ro Khanna

A Democratic U.S. Representative from California who was among the first to begin focusing on criticizing Vance.

Josh Shapiro

The Democratic governor of Pennsylvania and a potential 2028 presidential contender.

Gavin Newsom

The Democratic governor of California who has aggressively gone after Republicans, including coining the nickname "JD 'Just Dance' Vance".

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What they’re saying

“His book 'Hillbilly Elegy' was really hillbilly hate. It is poverty tourism, because he ain't from Appalachia.”

— Andy Beshear, Governor of Kentucky

“Every time Andy Beshear attacks the vice president to try to get himself publicity, he ends up humiliating himself in the process, but maybe that's something he's into?”

— Taylor Van Kirk, Spokesperson for JD Vance

“At least with Donald Trump, he's transparent about that. JD Vance is a total phony.”

— Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania

“JD 'Just Dance' Vance' on social media, and he has mocked the vice president's appearance, saying Vance 'grew a beard and lost his spine.'”

— Gavin Newsom, Governor of California

The takeaway

Democrats are aggressively going after Vice President JD Vance, seeing him as a clear front-runner for the 2028 presidential nomination. They are working to define Vance early and undercut his appeal, with potential 2028 contenders like Beshear and Shapiro leading the charge. This reflects the party's belief that Vance represents a threat to their political future, even as they continue to focus on the current president, Donald Trump.