Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will be on the ballot in Michigan for the November election, creating a new dynamic in the battleground state. Kennedy and his running mate Nicole Shanahan were nominated by the Natural Law Party and confirmed to be listed as options on the ballot by the Michigan Secretary of State’s office. A recent poll showed Kennedy polling at 13% in Michigan, with former President Donald Trump receiving 37% and President Biden at 34% in a five-way matchup. Kennedy even edged out Biden among self-described independent voters.
Kennedy’s candidacy has garnered support from various groups, with Natural Law Party of Michigan Chairman Doug Dern calling him the most qualified candidate in modern American history. Kennedy’s environmental background, spanning over 40 years, has been highlighted as beneficial for Michigan, especially in restoring the Great Lakes region. Kennedy’s efforts aim to support the fishing economy and ecosystem in this region, which holds a significant portion of the world’s freshwater.
To celebrate his ballot success in Michigan, Kennedy hosted a comedy show with Rob Schneider in the Detroit suburb of Royal Oak. He is also working towards getting on the ballot in all 50 states, a challenging task given the varying qualifications for each contest. Kennedy’s team has reported success in Utah and has enough signatures to qualify in several other states, such as New Hampshire, Nevada, Hawaii, North Carolina, Idaho, Nebraska, and Iowa.
Kennedy’s campaign has focused on his anti-COVID vaccine, anti-war, and environmental policies, while also criticizing both Biden and Trump. However, supporters of both top party candidates have attacked Kennedy. Trump’s super PAC launched a website called “Radical F-ing Kennedy,” while over a dozen Kennedy family members have endorsed Biden. Despite these attacks, Kennedy’s campaign remains confident in their strategy, with field teams, volunteers, legal teams, paid circulators, and strategists working towards achieving their goal of getting on the ballot in all 50 states.
Kennedy’s polling numbers show promising support, especially among independent voters and “double-haters” who dislike both Biden and Trump. His environmental background and focus on restoring the Great Lakes region have resonated with Michigan voters. With his anti-COVID vaccine stance and criticisms of both party candidates, Kennedy is presenting himself as a viable alternative in the upcoming election. As his campaign continues to gain momentum and secure spots on the ballot in various states, Kennedy’s presence in the presidential race is likely to influence the political landscape leading up to November.
