Robert Kennedy Jr., the Democratic candidate for the upcoming presidential election, has made a bold and strategic move by selecting Nicole Shanahan as his running mate. Shanahan, a successful entrepreneur and advocate for criminal justice reform, brings a fresh perspective and innovative ideas to the campaign.
Robert Kennedy Jr. taps Nicole Shanahan as running mate
Kennedy's decision to tap Shanahan as his running mate demonstrates his commitment to diversity and inclusivity in his administration. By choosing a woman with a background in technology and law, he is signaling his intention to address pressing issues such as cybersecurity and criminal justice reform.
Shanahan’s selection will accelerate Kennedy’s attempt to gain ballot access in as many states as possible. Nearly half require a vice presidential pick to advance that process. Shanahan will also be tasked with broadening Kennedy’s appeal and helping raise money to fuel his big-spending campaign. There has been speculation that the wealthy 38-year-old, who was previously married to Google co-founder Sergey Brin, could reach into her own pockets to aid the cause.
Kennedy said he selected Shanahan in part because he wanted someone with whom he shares common values on agriculture, health care and Big Tech, while also aligning with Kennedy’s vision on how leaders should carry themselves.
The secretary of state's office acknowledged its staff had misinformed Kennedy.
The Kennedy campaign said in a statement Tuesday that, now that it has announced a vice presidential pick, it will begin collecting signatures this week in 19 additional states that require a running mate for ballot access.
Those states are: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Even as it remains a question where exactly Kennedy will be able to get on the ballot, he is polling better than other third-party candidates. And while the results can vary depending on exactly how different surveys ask the question, those results suggest he could play a significant role in critical swing states if he's on the ballot this fall.
In Arizona, Bloomberg/Morning Consult and Fox News surveys from this month show him garnering double-digit support. In Michigan, a Quinnipiac University survey from earlier this month also shows him attracting double-digit support, while in Pennsylvania. And in North Carolina, a Marist College poll showed 11% of registered voters backing him.
Kennedy's announcement follows a selection process in which he vetted an eclectic group of high-profile people, including New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, former professional wrestler Jesse Ventura and television host Mike Rowe.
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