Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 2024 presidential campaign
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced his campaign for the 2024 United States presidential election on April 19, 2023.[9] An environmental lawyer,[10] writer, and member of the Kennedy family, he is known for advocating anti-vaccine misinformation[11][12][13] and public health conspiracy theories.[14] He initially ran for the Democratic Party nomination, but announced on October 9, 2023, that he would run as an independent candidate.[15]
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for President 2024
2024 U.S. presidential election
2024 Democratic primaries (until October 9, 2023)
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Environmental lawyer
Nicole Shanahan
Attorney and technologist
Independent
Democratic Party (until October 9, 2023)
April 19, 2023
Amaryllis Fox Kennedy (campaign manager)
Dennis Kucinich (former campaign manager)[2]
Charles Eisenstein (senior advisor)[3]
John E. Sullivan (treasurer)[4]
Del Bigtree (communications director)[5]
Stefanie Spear (former communications director)[6]
US$27,961,489.78[7] (February 29, 2024)
Declare Your Independence[8]
Heal the Divide
The Remedy Is Kennedy
The America That Almost Was, and yet May Be
Kennedy holds a diverse mix of traditionally liberal, conservative, and libertarian views in addition to his conspiracy theories.[11][16][17][18] Kennedy has received support from independents and youth,[19] and has been noted for drawing significant support from Republican donors and Trump allies who believe he will draw enough votes to serve as a spoiler for Biden.[20] His campaign has also received strong support and praise from various tech industry executives in Silicon Valley.[21][22][23] At the same time, the reaction to his campaign from his extended family has been largely negative.[24][25]
On March 26, 2024, Kennedy announced Nicole Shanahan as his running mate.
Background
Kennedy is a member of the Kennedy family, four of whom have previously run for the United States presidency.[4][26][27] His uncle, John F. Kennedy, was elected president as a Democrat in 1960 after a successful presidential campaign. In subsequent decades, several other family members sought the Democratic Party presidential nomination, but have failed to be nominated. His father and namesake, Robert F. Kennedy, ran a campaign for the nomination in 1968, but he was assassinated before the party's nominating convention. His uncle-by-marriage, Sargent Shriver, ran for the nomination in 1976, but later withdrew from the race.[a] His uncle, Ted Kennedy, ran a campaign for the nomination in 1980, but was defeated in the primaries by then-incumbent president Jimmy Carter.