Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Emerges as Wild Card in 2024 Election
The independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has become a surprising figure in the 2024 election, attracting a diverse mix of supporters, raising significant funds, and facing legal challenges from Democrats and verbal attacks from former President Donald J. Trump.
Kennedy, 70, the son of Robert F. Kennedy and a member of a prominent American political family, has had a tumultuous past marked by drug abuse. However, he has since become known as an environmental lawyer, focusing on suing corporate polluters to clean up the Hudson Valley watershed.
In recent years, Kennedy has gained attention for his involvement in the anti-vaccine movement, spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories about childhood vaccinations and public health measures. This platform has given him a larger voice during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he questioned the safety of vaccines and the official narratives surrounding the virus.
As the centrist group No Labels announced it would not run a presidential ticket, Kennedy has emerged as a prominent independent candidate in the 2024 race. His supporters have even created a new party, We the People, to help him secure ballot access in several states.
Kennedy’s affiliation as an independent has raised questions about which major party he poses a bigger threat to in the election. Both the Biden and Trump campaigns are closely monitoring his candidacy, with Democrats particularly concerned about the impact of third-party candidates on the election outcome.
Currently, Kennedy is officially on the ballot in Utah, with plans to secure access in other states. His running mate, Nicole Shanahan, a Bay Area lawyer and investor, has shown strong financial support for his campaign.
Kennedy’s supporters come from various backgrounds, including those in the medical freedom movement, Libertarians, and disaffected Democrats and Republicans. His unconventional campaign has drawn attention and speculation about his potential impact on the 2024 election.
