In a surprising move, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has selected Nicole Shanahan as his running mate in his independent bid for president. Shanahan, a 38-year-old California lawyer and philanthropist, brings youth and considerable wealth to Kennedy’s long-shot campaign. She is the founder of the Bia-Echo Foundation, which focuses on issues such as women’s reproductive science, criminal justice reform, and environmental causes. Shanahan, who also serves as a Stanford University fellow, spoke about her humble upbringing in Oakland and her belief that wealth should be used to help those in need.
During her announcement, Shanahan referenced discredited theories about vaccines and expressed her passion for fighting chronic diseases, citing her personal experiences with fertility struggles and her daughter’s autism. Despite the lack of scientific evidence linking vaccines to autism, Shanahan highlighted concerns about toxic substances in the environment and the need for further research into the long-term effects of childhood vaccinations. While vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective, Shanahan’s remarks sparked controversy and raised eyebrows among health experts.
Shanahan’s marriage to Google co-founder Sergey Brin and her philanthropic work were noted by Kennedy’s campaign manager and daughter-in-law, Amaryllis Fox Kennedy, who praised Shanahan’s advocacy for issues like racial equity and children’s health. Kennedy, who emphasized the importance of representing young people in his VP selection process, believes that Shanahan shares his concerns about government overreach and the limitations of major political parties in creating lasting change. Shanahan’s background and heritage played a role in Kennedy’s decision to choose her as his running mate.
Campaign finance records reveal that Shanahan has a history of donating to Democratic candidates, including Kennedy, before his independent bid for presidency. Shanahan was the primary donor behind a Super Bowl ad produced by a pro-Kennedy super PAC, American Values 2024, for which she contributed $4 million. While Shanahan’s financial contributions could potentially boost Kennedy’s expensive campaign efforts to get on the ballot in all 50 states, questions remain about the extent of her involvement in funding the campaign. With the ability to give unlimited sums directly to the campaign as a VP candidate, Shanahan’s support could play a crucial role in Kennedy’s bid for the presidency.
