Voters excited for JD Vance's 1st appearance in AZ since becoming Trump's VP selection

JD Vance supporters say they're inspired by backstory

In his first appearance as Donald Trump's vice presidential nominee, JD Vance spoke at a rally in Arizona and provided inspiration to local supporters. FOX 10's Kenzie Beach has the latest.

PHOENIX - JD Vance, the GOP vice presidential candidate, gave a more than 30 minute speech in Glendale at Arizona Christian University on Tuesday.

Supporters stood in line beginning at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31, fighting the Phoenix heat to listen to the man set to become the second most powerful executive in the country, if elected.

A lot of those supporters said it's Vance's powerful life story that resonates with a lot of voters.

1-on-1 with JD Vance in Glendale, Arizona

FOX 10's John Hook talks one-on-one with Ohio Senator and former President Donald Trump's running mate JD Vance. He made a stop in Glendale, Arizona on July 31 just months ahead of the 2024 election.

Less than 100 days to Election Day, Vance has hit the campaign trail hard since being named the choice during the Republican convention in Milwaukee.

A packed tent at Arizona Christian University in Glendale was filled to capacity at 1,100, while others waited outside to listen.

As people were filing in, they said adding Vance to this ticket opens the door for more working-class voters in favor of Trump and Vance.

"He supports President Trump. He appeals to normal everyday people. I’ve seen Hillbilly Elegy a couple of times and he is the epitome of the American Dream. He really is and he has come from nothing to becoming a vice president (candidate) to hopefully, in 2028, president," said Marcy Heiman, a Trump-Vance supporter.

Full speech: JD Vance speaks in Glendale at rally

Former President Donald Trump's VP pick, Ohio Senator JD Vance, made a 2024 campaign stop in Glendale, Arizona on July 31. Mid-speech, he brought U.S. Senate Candidate Kari Lake on stage. Here is the full more than 30 minute speech from Sen. Vance.

"I like the way he is addressing things for the working class around the country. I love his book and that he has been very supportive of President Trump," said Rev. Dr. Steven Rutt, a professor at Arizona Christian University.

Kari Lake was also at the event and joined Vance mid-way through his speech after being called up.

"When I look at that guy, I see the spirit of America," said supporter Andrew Wilson.

Many say it's his upbringing and fight to get to this point in life that makes him relatable.

"Republicans are energized to fight back against what's happening in this country, with inflation, the border, with foreign policy. Seeing somebody on this stage that is going to fight back against that, hey, we're all for him," Darius Diggs said.

'We need results’

Supporter Madeline Barger says she just wants to see issues improve.

"He's not 100% polished, but you know what, we don’t need polished anymore," she said. "We need results."

Vance was raised by a single mom who struggled with drug addiction and was taken under his grandmother's wing.

Vance enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after high school and paid his own way through Yale Law School before starting his own business and getting into politics.

"It gives us hope. We have grandchildren, six of them, and they need what we had growing up," Cindy and Ken Bodes said.

Following Vances' trip to Glendale, he's headed to the Arizona border with less than 100 days left in this campaign.