Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is set to announce his running mate in Oakland, California, amid questions about ballot access in states that require a named vice presidential candidate during the petition process. Some names circulating as potential running mates include NFL player Aaron Rodgers, former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura, wealthy Democratic donor Nicole Shanahan, former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, and former TV host Mike Rowe. The Kennedy campaign has kept the name of the running mate secret and denied turning the process into a guessing game, acknowledging the frustration among supporters due to the delay.
Nicole Shanahan, an attorney and entrepreneur known for her high-profile divorce from Google co-founder Sergey Brin, is considered a leading contender for Kennedy’s running mate. Shanahan contributed $4 million to the super PAC supporting Kennedy and was involved in coordinating the production of a Super Bowl ad highlighting his campaign. Her financial resources could be beneficial to Kennedy in the costly process of obtaining ballot access, which is likely to require millions of dollars and hundreds of thousands of signatures.
Aaron Rodgers, the Green Bay Packers quarterback who shares Kennedy’s skepticism of COVID-19 vaccines, is also being considered as a potential running mate. Rodgers confirmed his unvaccinated status in 2021 and expressed his belief in bodily autonomy and the ability to make choices for one’s body. Kennedy has mentioned Rodgers as a leading candidate for the vice-presidential position, along with former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura, who has expressed willingness to consider the job despite disagreements on vaccine opposition.
Former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, who has not denied being approached by Kennedy, has refrained from commenting directly on the speculation. Gabbard, known for her bipartisan approach, praised former President Donald Trump at CPAC in February. Additionally, former TV host Mike Rowe revealed that Kennedy had contacted him about potentially running for public office, prompting surprise from Rowe. They discussed vocational training and Rowe’s foundation during their conversation about a possible vice-presidential candidacy.
As Kennedy prepares to announce his running mate, the speculation continues about who will join his campaign. With the need for substantial funding and support to secure ballot access in various states, the choice of a running mate is crucial for the success of the Kennedy campaign. The diverse range of potential candidates, including athletes, politicians, donors, and TV personalities, reflects the importance of finding a partner who can complement Kennedy’s platform and appeal to a broad spectrum of voters.
