Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an independent presidential candidate, is set to announce his running mate at a rally in Oakland, California. This move is crucial for Kennedy as it could help in gaining ballot access in all 50 states. The potential candidates for the vice presidential spot include Nicole Shanahan, Jesse Ventura, Aaron Rodgers, Tulsi Gabbard, Rand Paul, Andrew Yang, Mike Rowe, Tony Robbins, and Tricia Lindsay. Kennedy mentioned that the chosen candidate has ties to the Oakland area, a place that holds special significance for his family.
Kennedy’s goal is to qualify for the ballot in all 50 states and Washington, DC, but currently, he is only on the ballot in Utah. His campaign has gathered enough signatures to qualify in New Hampshire, Nevada, and Hawaii, while a super PAC supporting his bid has collected enough signatures in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, and South Carolina. However, there have been issues with Nevada’s ballot access due to errors in communication. The secretary of state’s office denies any intent to harm or benefit any party or candidate.
The Democratic National Committee and Democrats have raised concerns about Kennedy’s impact on the election, accusing his super PAC of campaign finance violations and illegal coordination with the campaign. Kennedy has not revealed the type of voters he is targeting but mentioned that his running mate should align with his values, be optimistic about the country, and capable of running the country if needed. Reports of conversations with potential running mates like Aaron Rodgers have surfaced, including discussions on conspiracy theories related to the Sandy Hook shooting.
Kennedy, known for his advocacy against public health mandates and anti-vaccine views, has never held public office. He initially challenged Biden in the Democratic primaries but later switched to an independent bid. His decision to run independently has drawn criticism within his family. Despite concerns of being a spoiler candidate, polls show Kennedy gaining significant support in key states and pulling support from voters with unfavorable views of both Biden and Trump.
The choice of a running mate could aid in fundraising efforts, as Kennedy’s campaign faces costly ballot qualification processes and a general election campaign against well-funded opponents like Biden and Trump. Financial reports show modest fundraising figures for Kennedy’s campaign in February, with a significant contribution from Shanahan. Kennedy denies prioritizing wealth when vetting his running mate choices, emphasizing the importance of values alignment instead. The vice presidential announcement may not significantly impact the election outcome historically, but it could play a role in fundraising efforts.
