Robert F. Kennedy, son of Senator Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of former US President John F. Kennedy, announced on Monday, October 9 that he will run for president as a third-party candidate next year, breaking with generations of Kennedy political dynasty allegiance to the Democratic party and posing a challenge to the Trump and Biden 2024 presidential campaigns.
Kennedy Jr. announced to supporters in Philadelphia on Monday that he is withdrawing his Democratic primary bid and will instead run as an independent.
Kennedy Jr., an environmental lawyer most known for propagating anti-covid vaccination accusations, stated that he did “not make the decision lightly” and that “it’s very painful for [him] to let go” of the Democratic Party, citing his family’s long history in Democratic politics.
Since announcing his candidacy in April, Kennedy Jr. has attacked both the Republican and Democratic parties, accusing their leaders of corruption and accusing the Democratic National Committee of “rigging” the primary race by refusing to schedule debates and changing the election date.
Kennedy’s poll numbers are historically high for a third-party contender, and he has the potential to derail both parties’ selections.
“I’m here to join you in making a new Declaration of Independence for our nation,” he declared on Monday, naming a slew of outside forces he wants politics to distance itself from, including “big ag, big tech, military contractors and their lobbyists… the mercenary media” and “the two political parties.”
According to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll, 14% of Americans would choose Kennedy Jr. in a hypothetical general election fight against former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden.
According to the same poll, Biden garnered 31% of the vote, while Trump received 35%. While some polls show that Kennedy Jr. has a greater net favorability rating among Republicans than among Democrats, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found that his third-party effort could affect Biden more, as both Trump and Biden received 35% support without him on the ballot.
Kennedy has claimed that prescription medicines are linked to mass shootings, that Covid-19 is a “bioweapons problem,” and that the CIA was involved in his uncle’s death.
