TL/DR –
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has chosen Nicole Shanahan, a 38-year-old Silicon Valley lawyer and investor, as his running mate in his independent presidential bid. Shanahan was formerly married to Google co-founder Sergey Brin and has already contributed more than $4.5 million to Kennedy’s campaign. Shanahan, who brings youth and an outsider’s idealism to Kennedy’s ticket, echoes many of his campaign themes, including skepticism of vaccines, concerns about chronic disease and corruption, and calls for a cleaner environment.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Names Nicole Shanahan as Running Mate in Presidential Bid
Targeting young voters and politically disillusioned Americans, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced Nicole Shanahan, a 38-year-old Silicon Valley lawyer and investor, as his vice-presidential pick for his independent presidential campaign. Shanahan, a political newcomer, adds youth and idealism to Kennedy’s campaign, which could disrupt electoral calculations for both President Biden and ex-President Trump.
Shanahan has donated over $4.5 million to Kennedy’s campaign, assisting the costly effort to have him listed on the ballot in all 50 states. Kennedy praised Shanahan at a rally in Oakland, calling her a “gifted administrator” and a “fierce warrior mom” with expertise in artificial intelligence and intellectual property issues.
Shanahan Echoes Kennedy’s Campaign Themes
Speaking after Kennedy’s announcement, Shanahan echoed many of his campaign themes, including skepticism of vaccines, concerns about chronic disease and corruption, and calls for environmental cleanliness and the elimination of pesticides and genetically modified food. She invited disillusioned Republicans to join her movement to heal America.
Shanahan’s previous support for Kennedy included a $4 million donation for a Super Bowl ad. As an environmental lawyer and vaccine skeptic, Kennedy has focused his campaign on health and environmental issues, areas Shanahan has also concentrated on in recent years.
Shanahan’s Background and Stances
Shanahan shared her personal story at the rally, discussing her daughter’s autism diagnosis, her research into chronic disease and environmental toxins, and her immigrant mother’s struggles. She identified a “crisis in reproductive health” rooted in chronic disease, environmental toxicity, and certain medications as a key focus of her candidacy.
Kennedy’s Independent Presidential Campaign
Shanahan emerged as Kennedy’s favored VP pick after other prospects didn’t materialize. Despite her history of supporting Democrats, including Biden’s 2020 campaign, she backed Kennedy’s independent run. After a pause in political donations, she re-engaged with Kennedy’s campaign in January, impressed by the support he had garnered.
She played a significant role in a Super Bowl ad backing Kennedy, which drew criticism from some family members. Kennedy’s campaign has sparked concerns among Democrats that he could tip the election in Trump’s favor. Recent polling shows Kennedy garnering around 13% support, drawing from both major contenders. Accordingly, the Democratic Party has launched a legal effort against Kennedy, aiming to block him from the ballot in key battleground states.
Both Democrats and Trump supporters expressed skepticism about Kennedy’s pick, with one calling Shanahan essentially a mega donor without experience and another describing Kennedy as a radical leftist.
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