He’s trying to shake up the political landscape.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the independent presidential candidate, is poised to make a significant announcement on Tuesday. Two reliable sources within the Kennedy campaign have disclosed that Nicole Shanahan, a prominent attorney and entrepreneur based in the San Francisco Bay Area, will be unveiled as Kennedy’s vice presidential pick.
Shanahan, much like Kennedy, lacks prior experience in elected office. However, she has demonstrated her commitment to Kennedy’s campaign by making contributions to both his campaign and his super PAC.
The Kennedy campaign has slated an announcement event in Oakland, California, later on Tuesday. This decision comes at a crucial juncture for Kennedy’s campaign, as independent candidates must navigate a complex maze of state-specific rules to secure ballot access. In over half of the states, independents are obligated to nominate a running mate when filing their nominating papers, and several deadlines for these filings are rapidly approaching.
Despite uncertainties regarding ballot access, Kennedy is enjoying more favorable polling numbers compared to other third-party contenders. Various surveys conducted recently indicate significant support for Kennedy, particularly in pivotal swing states, if he manages to secure a spot on the ballot for the upcoming election.
In Arizona, both Bloomberg/Morning Consult and Fox News surveys conducted this month reveal double-digit support for Kennedy. Similarly, in Michigan, a recent Quinnipiac University poll indicates substantial backing, as does polling data from Pennsylvania. Furthermore, in North Carolina, a Marist College poll suggests that 11% of registered voters are in favor of Kennedy.
Kennedy carefully deliberated over potential running mates, considering individuals such as New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura, former Democratic Representative Tulsi Gabbard, and television host Mike Rowe. Rowe, in an interview with NBC News, described his discussions with Kennedy, noting the candidate’s emphasis on key policy positions and his defense of anti-vaccine advocacy.
Ultimately, Kennedy zeroed in on Shanahan, who had previously been involved in the production of a high-profile Super Bowl advertisement endorsing Kennedy back in February.
