Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has selected a running mate and that candidate will be introduced on March 26 in Oakland, California, the independent presidential candidate announced on March 13.
“Because of your support, this is now the most successful independent campaign in decades. Together, we have shown that Americans really are tired of the vitriol and division. Americans are looking for a leader who can ‘Heal The Divide,’ Mr. Kennedy wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
“On Tuesday, March 26th, in Oakland, California, I will announce the partner that I’ve chosen to help lead America into a brighter vision of peace, prosperity, and unity. We would be honored for you to join us for this historic announcement.”
Speculation is mounting about the identity of Mr. Kennedy’s running mate.
On March 12, The New York Times reported that New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and former Minnesota governor and professional wrestler Jesse Ventura are among the potential running mates for Mr. Kennedy.
Citing “two people familiar with the discussions,” The Times wrote that Mr. Kennedy had “recently approached” Mr. Rodgers and Mr. Ventura about the role of vice president, “and both have welcomed the overtures.”
Stefanie Spear, the campaign press secretary, told The Epoch Times on March 12 that “Mr. Kennedy did share with The New York Times that he’s considering Aaron Rodgers and Jesse Ventura as running mates along with others on a short list.”
Tyrel Ventura, Mr. Ventura’s son, released a statement on March 12 noting that his father “has not been officially asked to be a [vice presidential] candidate” and that “he will not comment on speculations.”
Mr. Rodgers, the four-time NFL MVP Green Bay Packers quarterback, is now still under contract with the New York Jets. He played college football at the University of California in Berkeley, not far from Oakland.
Former Democrat presidential candidates Andrew Yang and Tulsi Gabbard declined the offer to join Mr. Kennedy’s ticket, according to The Times.
Mr. Kennedy has also reportedly approached Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) about becoming his running mate.
On March 13, CNN reported that Mr. Kennedy’s shortlist also includes motivational speaker Tony Robbins, Discovery Channel Host Mike Rowe, and civil rights attorney Tricia Lindsay. The Washington Post included those names along with former Republican Massachusetts senator and U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa Scott Brown.
Mr. Kennedy has talked to Mr. Rodgers “pretty continuously” over the last month, according to the story. The candidate has kept in touch with Mr. Ventura since the former governor introduced him at a February voter rally in Tucson, Arizona.
Mr. Kennedy entered the Democrat presidential primary in April 2023, intending to challenge President Joe Biden for the party’s nomination. Citing roadblocks from the Democrat National Committee and accusing the organization of “rigging the primary” for President Biden, Mr. Kennedy announced last October that he would run as an independent.
This year, he has shifted his focus to gaining ballot access.
He currently has qualified for the ballot as an independent in New Hampshire, Utah, and Nevada.
Mr. Kennedy also qualified for the ballot in Hawaii under the “We the People” party.
In January, Mr. Kennedy’s campaign said it had filed paperwork in six states to create a political party. The move was made to get his name on the ballots with fewer voter signatures than those states require for candidates not affiliated with a party.
The “We the People” party was established in five states: California, Delaware, Hawaii, Mississippi, and North Carolina. The “Texas Independent Party” was also formed.
American Values 2024, a super PAC working to get Mr. Kennedy elected, said it has collected enough valid signatures for the candidate to get on the ballot in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, and South Carolina.
Last December, the super PAC said it would spend $15 million to help gather signatures in key states to help Mr. Kennedy’s ballot access quest.
Mr. Kennedy has met with Libertarian party officials, and he spoke at the party’s California convention last month. The Libertarian party is expected to appear on the ballot in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Delegates will convene at the party’s national convention on May 23–25 and select a presidential candidate.
Mr. Kennedy has repeatedly said he will be on the ballot in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. To accomplish that feat, as an independent candidate, he must select a running mate before petitioning for ballot access in 26 states and the District of Columbia, according to Ballot Access News. That has created a sense of urgency for him to select a vice president.
In the RealClearPolitics average of polls as of March 11, RFK Jr. has 12.4 percent support, trailing former President Donald Trump (41.1 percent) and President Joe Biden (38.4 percent) and leading independent Cornel West (2.4 percent) and Green Party nominee Jill Stein (1.8 percent).
Multiple polls have shown that Mr. Kennedy leads all presidential candidates in favorability rating and select surveys have indicated he is in the lead among independents and voters under the age of 35.
At a campaign stop last December, when asked about the qualities he wants in a running mate, he told The Epoch Times, “I’m looking for somebody who is aligned with me on some important issues, including unraveling the warfare state,” but “I don’t need someone who agrees with me on everything.
“I’m interested in someone who wants to end the division we face in this country. It’s a good exercise for the American people to see political leaders who have high regard for each other, even if they don’t have the same views on every issue.”
