Now It's History

Now It's History

J.D. Vance's Cactus Jack problem

As Trump flails, his veep faces the peril of being proven right

Richard Galant
Mar 16, 2026
∙ Paid

When John Nance Garner ran for county judge in Uvalde, Texas, in 1893, a young stenography student named Mariette ("Ettie") Rheiner made no secret of her opposition.

The daughter of a Swiss immigrant land owner thought that Garner’s fondness for whiskey and poker made him ill-suited for a judgeship.

Somehow Garner must have persuaded her he wasn’t such a …

User's avatar

Continue reading this post for free, courtesy of Richard Galant.

Or purchase a paid subscription.
© 2026 Richard Galant · Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start your SubstackGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture