The campaign of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been buzzing with speculation over the weekend as potential running mates for his independent presidential ticket have emerged. Among the top picks is Nicole Shanahan, a Bay Area lawyer and investor who was once married to Google co-founder Sergey Brin.
Ms. Shanahan, 38, gained attention for her role as a creative force and primary financial backer behind a $5 million Super Bowl ad supporting Mr. Kennedy. The ad, which paid homage to a 1960 campaign ad for Mr. Kennedy’s uncle John F. Kennedy, received both praise and criticism.
The media website Mediaite reported that Mr. Kennedy planned to name Ms. Shanahan as his vice-presidential pick, sparking further interest in his shortlist which also includes N.F.L. star quarterback Aaron Rodgers and former Gov. Jesse Ventura of Minnesota. Tricia Lindsay, a lawyer known for fighting vaccine mandates, has also been mentioned as a potential candidate.
While neither Ms. Shanahan nor Mr. Kennedy have commented on the speculation, a spokeswoman for the Kennedy campaign confirmed that the official announcement will be made on March 26 in Oakland, Calif. Mr. Kennedy’s daughter-in-law and campaign manager, Amaryllis Fox Kennedy, addressed the media frenzy in a social media post, hinting at the uncertainty surrounding the selection process.
The domain name kennedyshanahan.com was registered recently, adding fuel to the speculation. Despite initial support for Mr. Kennedy as a Democrat, Ms. Shanahan had previously soured on him when he left the party. However, she has since reconnected with the Kennedy campaign and expressed excitement about the potential partnership.
As the anticipation builds for the official announcement, supporters and critics alike are eagerly awaiting to see who will join Mr. Kennedy on the campaign trail.
