Usha Vance, originally from Vadluru village in Andhra Pradesh's Godavari district, is the wife of JD Vance, the U.S. Vice Presidential candidate. On Wednesday, as Donald Trump spoke to his supporters ahead of what was expected to be a landslide victory, he introduced JD Vance as his vice-presidential nominee. Usha Vance joined her husband on stage during the speech. 

Usha's India connection

Born in San Diego to Indian immigrant parents, she grew up in an upper-middle-class suburb. She graduated from Yale University with a degree in history and earned her Juris Doctor from Yale Law School. 

In 2019, Vance was admitted to the District of Columbia Bar and worked at a prominent law firm. She resigned from the firm in July 2024. She also delivered the introductory address for her husband at the 2024 Republican National Convention and frequently travels with him for campaign events.

Usha's roots trace back to the Nidadavolu in the west Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. Her relatives in the village are well-regarded for their contributions, including land donations for local temples such as Sai Baba, Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, and Goddess Bala Seeta temples.

The Vance family moved abroad more than 50 years ago. Usha's connection to the village has made her a source of pride for residents, who gathered to offer prayers for the success of her husband in the 2024 U.S. election.

"We hope that Trump will win the election. America is countering terrorism across the world. The relations between America and India will improve if Trump becomes the President. There is a big fight between the two (Trump and Kamala Harris). We feel generally proud that (Usha) Vance is a native of Vadluru. We feel proud (about it). They donated the land long ago, but her (Vance's) relatives are here," Ramana, a resident of the village said.

"They moved abroad and to other places more than 50 years ago. The family has educated individuals from the village. In the past, they donated land to the village, where the Sai Baba, Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, and Goddess Bala Seeta temples were constructed for the welfare of the village. We hope she achieves victory in the election results that will bring pride to our village and country. We offered special prayers for Usha Vance's success. The victory of Usha's husband will advance the bilateral relationship between India and the USA can improve," he added.

Earlier, JD Vance cast his ballot in person for the US Presidential Elections on Tuesday morning (local time), as reported by CNN. Vance cast his ballot at the St. Anthony of Padua Church in Cincinnati from the state of Ohio.

"I felt good about my own race a couple of years ago when I voted in this exact same spot. Hopefully, it goes as well for President Trump and me as it went for me a couple of years ago in the state of Ohio," Vance told reporters after casting his vote.

Meanwhile, a special Pooja was organised on Wednesday morning for Kamala Harris at Sri Dharma Sastha Sri Sevaka Perumaal Temple in her ancestral village of Thulasendrapuram, Tamil Nadu.

Harris' supporter, Joy, who came to stay in the Thulasendrapuram village from Chicago expressed confidence about the Democrat candidate winning the US elections.