Oct 2, 2024 - Business

JD Vance's venture capital history not mentioned during debate

Dan Primack

Photo illustration collage of J.D. Vance surrounded by ballot shapes. — Photo illustration: Maura Losch/Axios. Photo: Andrew Spear/Getty Images.

A former venture capitalist was on the national debate stage last night, but you wouldn't have known it by watching.

The big picture: JD Vance didn't once mention his business background during the tranquil tussle with Tim Walz — a notable omission, given that Vance, spent more time as a VC than he did as a soldier, lawyer, or politician.

Plus, his VC mentor and former employer, Peter Thiel, played a key role in Vance's rise within the Republican Party.

Zoom in: Walz also stayed away from opponent's résumé.

It felt at times like he wanted to flick at it, such as when talking about those who view housing as a commodity.
In the end, though, Walz's only mention of "venture capital" came in regards to moving U.S. manufacturing jobs overseas, and wasn't aimed at Vance.

ICYMI: Read the transcript.

The bottom line: It was almost as if neither candidate knew how being a venture capitalist would play with voters, so didn't want to risk being on the wrong side.

For any venture capitalists concerned about one of their own being in the political spotlight, this had to be a welcome development. Particularly those who remember the reputational damage that Mitt Romney's presidential candidacy did to private equity.

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JD Vance's venture capital history not mentioned during debate

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