Lindsay Ratliff is the half-sister of American politician JD Vance, born to their mother Bev Vance’s first husband. Growing up in Middletown, Lindsay had a troubled childhood filled with hardships.
Their father left when Vance was young, leaving the siblings with their mother who soon struggled with drug addiction. They were then raised by their grandparents, James and Bonnie Vance, whom they called Papaw and Mamaw.
While JD Vance is a well-known figure in American politics, Lindsay prefers to stay out of the limelight. However, she is a dedicated sister who fiercely defends her brother against online trolls. In a 2017 interview with Megyn Kelly, Lindsay expressed her unwavering support for Vance, saying, “I would die for that kid. And I know he would, too.”
Currently married and a mother of three, Lindsay is also an aunt to Vance’s three children: Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel. She works as a store manager at Tilly, a surfing and skating-inspired clothing store, and has previous experience in retail management with companies like Homage, White House Black Market, and Old Navy, among others. Lindsay graduated from Miami University in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in social work.
In July 2024, former President Donald Trump announced Ohio Senator JD Vance as his running mate for the upcoming presidential election. Trump praised Vance’s background in the Marine Corps, his education at Ohio State University and Yale Law School, as well as his career in technology and finance.
Vance’s focus on American workers and farmers in key battleground states was highlighted as a key reason for his selection as Trump’s running mate.
