©Reuters. File photo: Independent US presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. hikes with his dogs in the Santa Monica Mountains in Los Angeles, California, USA on March 18, 2024.REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo
Written by Alexandra Ulmer and Stephanie Kelly
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spoke in California on Tuesday, including National Football League star Aaron Rodgers and California-based attorney Nicole Shanahan. Announcing the candidate for Vice President of the United States from a list including:
Mr Kennedy, 70, the scion of a prominent US political family, is betting big that Americans are deeply dissatisfied with Democratic President Joe Biden and his Republican rival Donald Trump. , hopes to use this selection to help build credibility and momentum. Choose a third party.
Kennedy reportedly met with Mr. Rogers, former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura and a long list of others, but most political analysts believe Mr. Kennedy has little name recognition on Main Street. He expects to select Shanahan, who brings potential financial strength.
Shanahan, president of Via Echo, which invests in supporting women in later-life childbirth, criminal justice reform and environmental protection, has ties to the tech industry and reproductive rights activists. She was previously married to Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google (NASDAQ:).
“Kennedy is already seen as a political outsider, and he seems to think this is where he has the best advantage,” said Matthew Green, a political science professor at Catholic University. He said it was out of the mainstream.
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found 15% of registered voters backing Kennedy, compared to 39% for Biden and 38% for Trump. The Democratic National Committee and many political strategists say Kennedy's campaign could be a “spoiler” to help Trump win the 2024 election.
Kennedy's announcement comes before many U.S. states begin the costly, time-consuming and diverse process for independent candidates to appear on state ballots. It's because you're looking for something.
Shanahan did not respond to a request for comment from Reuters.
Kennedy, an environmental lawyer who has promoted an anti-vaccine message for years, said in an interview with Reuters last week that he shares his views on issues such as ending the U.S. “war machine” and reducing the national debt. He said he is looking for a vice presidential candidate. He will “end the chronic disease epidemic.”
“I'm looking for someone with good values, an open mind, a high level of intelligence and an inquisitive mind,” he said, adding that it was important to find someone outside the political system.
Kennedy has collected enough signatures to get on the ballot in four states, but the petition is being contested in Nevada. No Labels, another independent group this election cycle, is on the ballot in 18 states, although it has not yet announced its voting rights.
The Kennedy campaign has raised more than $27 million this election cycle, and American Values 2024, a super PAC supporting Kennedy's candidacy, has raised more than $42 million, according to Federal Election Commission data.
Mark Gorton, co-founder of American Values 2024, said: “We are not affiliated with a major political party, so in many ways this announcement is the closest we can get to kicking off preparations for the general election.” he said. Reuters. “I hope there’s a lot of excitement.”
American Values 2024 is scheduled to hold a fundraiser in San Francisco on Tuesday night.
Mr. Kennedy's policy proposals, including promises to make homeownership easier and a crackdown on corporate subsidies, have helped him gain some support among voters.
