Robert Francis Kennedy Jr., also known as RFK Jr., is running as an independent in the next US presidential election in an effort to upend the nation’s firmly established two-party system.
He announced Nicole Shanahan, a 38-year-old Silicon Valley lawyer and businesswoman, as his running mate on Tuesday, March 26. RFK Jr. is hoping that Shanahan’s wealth, his own tale of rising from poverty to prominence, and his experience in the internet industry would help his campaign. Some political observers say that Shanahan’s candidacy has incumbent President Joe Biden worried.
Robert Francis Kennedy Jr An inconvenient choices
Shanahan, a 38-year-old unusual option who adds youth and significant riches to Kennedy’s unlikely campaign, is barely known outside of Silicon Valley.
Source: NPR
Shanahan is the head of the Bia-Echo Foundation, which she established to allocate funds for causes such as environmental concerns, women’s reproductive science, and criminal justice reform. In addition, she holds a fellowship from Stanford University. She founded and led ClearAccessIP, a patent management company that was sold in 2020.
Impact on Presidential Election
Kennedy’s dissenting opinions on vaccines and conspiracy theories, even though he is a Democrat, appeal to a subset of voters who are fed up with the political class.
Democrats are concerned about Kennedy’s independent campaign because it may steal votes away from Biden and help Trump.
It is difficult to appear on ballots across state lines without party support.
In order to abide by state laws, he has selected a running partner with the goal of gaining access in swing states such as Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and Georgia.
Shanahan’s support for revolutionary technology and her Silicon Valley background make her a valuable addition to Kennedy’s criticisms of the tech industry’s power.
