Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has chosen Nicole Shanahan, a California lawyer and philanthropist, as his running mate for his independent presidential campaign. Shanahan, who has never held elected office, brings youth and wealth to Kennedy’s campaign but is not well-known outside Silicon Valley. She leads the Bia-Echo Foundation, which focuses on issues such as women’s reproductive science, criminal justice reform, and environmental causes. Shanahan has also founded and led a patent management firm, ClearAccessIP, which was sold in 2020.
Shanahan, who was previously married to Google co-founder Sergey Brin, shared her upbringing in Oakland, where her mother immigrated from China and her father struggled with substance abuse and job stability. Despite later becoming wealthy, she emphasized the importance of using privilege to help those in need, a value she wants to bring to politics. Kennedy’s campaign manager, Amaryllis Fox Kennedy, praised Shanahan’s work on honest governance, racial equity, regenerative agriculture, and children’s and maternal health, stating that it reflects urgent needs in the country.
Kennedy emphasized that Shanahan, like himself, has left the Democratic Party and shares concerns about government overreach and the potential influence of major political parties. He mentioned that Shanahan’s understanding of various government agencies working for specific interests aligns with his views on the current state of affairs. Kennedy also noted that Shanahan’s heritage played a role in his decision to select her as his running mate. While Kennedy had previously considered choosing a celebrity or household name for the role, he ultimately settled on Shanahan for her beliefs and alignment with his goals.
Shanahan has a history of donating to Democratic candidates and has already contributed financially to Kennedy’s campaign. She was a primary donor behind a Super Bowl ad produced by a pro-Kennedy super PAC, American Values 2024, which she contributed $4 million to. Despite criticism surrounding the ad, the super PAC stated that Shanahan was primarily responsible for the idea, funding, and execution of the campaign. As Shanahan is a candidate for vice president, she can give unlimited funds directly to the campaign, potentially boosting Kennedy’s efforts to get on the ballot in all 50 states. Kennedy has estimated that this endeavor will cost $15 million and require over 1 million signatures.
Overall, Shanahan’s selection as Kennedy’s running mate brings a mix of youth, wealth, and philanthropic experience to his campaign. Her background in philanthropy and business, as well as her personal history of overcoming challenges, may resonate with voters looking for fresh perspectives in politics. Kennedy’s decision to choose Shanahan reflects his desire for a candidate who shares his concerns about government overreach and major political parties, signaling a focus on grassroots support and independent thinking in his campaign. The partnership between Kennedy and Shanahan represents a unique approach to presidential politics that may attract attention and support from diverse sectors of the electorate.
