Vance’s homecoming is a throwback to 2024 — and a preview for 2026 and 2028: From the Politics Desk

From the Politics DeskVance’s homecoming is a throwback to 2024 — and a preview for 2026 and 2028: From the Politics DeskPlus, an uncertain South Carolina race presents a key test for Trump.Listen to this article with a free profile00:0000:00Vice President JD Vance speaks in Middletown, Ohio, on Friday. Leandro Lozada / AFP via Getty ImagesShareAdd to GoogleAug. 21, 2026, 5:00 PM EDTBy The Politics DeskWelcome to From the Politics Desk, a daily newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics team’s latest reporting and analysis from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail.In today’s edition, Henry J. Gomez explains what Vice President JD Vance’s Ohio trip says about his midterm role. Plus, Kristen Welker breaks down the stakes for President Donald Trump’ in next week’s South Carolina runoff. Sign up to receive this newsletter in your inbox every weekday here.— Adam WollnerVance’s homecoming is a throwback to 2024 — and a preview for 2026 and 2028Analysis by Henry J. GomezVice President JD Vance’s return to his hometown this afternoon was in many ways a preview of the heavy load he will carry for President Donald Trump and the Republican Party on the midterm campaign trail.Against the backdrop of voters’ mounting affordability concerns, Vance emphasized an uptick in manufacturing jobs during a speech in Middletown, Ohio. He celebrated $1 billion in new investment, including a federal grant, that will help upgrade the Cleveland-Cliffs steel plant where he delivered his remarks. And he urged support for Republican candidates this fall, singling out Sen. Jon Husted, who is running to keep Vance’s old Senate seat, and Vivek Ramaswamy, the party’s nominee for Ohio governor.“This is not, unfortunately, JFK or FDR‘s Democrat party,” Vance said. “Hell, it’s not even Bill Clinton‘s Democrat Party.” For the GOP, one notion underpinning the message is that Vance may be uniquely suited to sell it. The factory he visited Friday was the same one — albeit under a diff...