Dispute Breaks Out Over J.D. Vance Recognition: ‘Let’s See What He Does’ Sparks Debate’

A proposal to honor vice president-elect J.D. Vance in his hometown of Middletown, Ohio, led to a heated dispute at a city council meeting this week after his mother, Beverly Aikins, requested recognition for her son’s role in Donald Trump’s 2024 election victory.

During the Thursday meeting, Aikins, speaking as Vance’s mother, addressed the council, saying, “I am just here because I am JD Vance’s mother and as you know he is our new vice president-elect and he thinks of Middletown as his home. I still live here and his sister still lives in Middletown.

He’s got two nieces who live here and I just think it would be nice if we could acknowledge that this is his hometown and put up some signs.” She continued, “He graduated from Middletown High School, he comes back here frequently to visit me and take me to dinner, and I humbly request that.”

However, her request sparked a debate among council members, with not everyone in agreement. Councilman Paul Lolli raised concerns about how the city handled Vance’s election news, stating, “There are two issues concerning the JD Vance recognition — what wasn’t done by the city after the election through social media and what is going to be done going forward.” He suggested, “To me, our communication department should have done this weeks ago. I would like to ask the communications department to get something out by the end of the week. That is what a lot of people in Middletown are extremely upset about.”

Councilwoman Jennifer Carter pushed back, arguing, “I would think that we would wait and see what happens. (Kayla Harrison, Kyle Schwarber, etc.) proved themselves before we put those signs up.” When Lolli responded with, “JD won,” Carter countered, “Let’s see what he does… what’s the rush?”

Councilman Steve West II, however, stressed the importance of recognizing Vance’s achievement, saying, “What we are saying is the fact that the city won’t even recognize that a Middletonian has been elected as vice president—that is a problem. I would say the same thing if it were an independent or a Democrat. We should be proud.”

Mayor Elizabeth Slamka weighed in, acknowledging the tension but agreeing that recognition was warranted. “It is fair to recognize. That is in the works. I am not a political person. It can be very polarizing. But I think we can recognize,” she said.