Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is running for president as an independent, is set to announce his running mate on March 26, the Associated Press reported. His campaign said the eclectic shortlist includes politicians, notable figures, and an NFL quarterback.
The announcement will come at a campaign stop in Oakland, California, near the end of the month. Typically, running mates are announced much closer to the parties' conventions in the summer.
However, state rules dictate that candidates running as independents must include their vice presidential picks to be added to the ballots. Kennedy originally kicked off his campaign to challenge President Joe Biden as a Democrat.
However, the attorney-turned-politician pivoted in his strategy to run as an independent. This move is especially notable considering Kennedy, who is an attorney, descends from the historic Democratic Kennedy family.
In an interview with CNN, Kennedy shared that he "made up his mind" about who he would share the ticket with. The top names mentioned included former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura and New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Kennedy shared that he had recently met with Ventura about the campaign. "We talk often about areas of mutual interest, and I’m really, really grateful for his support during this campaign,” Kennedy said last month about the former governor.
However, Kennedy also has become closer with Rodgers. Last month, he posted a photo to social media posing with the NFL player.
Others under consideration include Republican Sen. Rand Paul, former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, and Andrew Yang, a businessman and former Democratic presidential candidate. Kennedy has also spoken with some less traditional choices.
He's considered civil rights attorney Tricia Lindsay, author and motivational speaker Tony Robbins, and former "Dirty Jobs" host Mike Rowe. "We wanted somebody who was aligned with my values, optimistic about our country and its potential, and able to run the country at a moment’s notice," Kennedy explained.
Even if he chooses a traditional pick for vice president, the leftist media has slammed Kennedy for some of his unusual platform points. He is a vaccine skeptic, which is an immediate strike against him in their view.
Kennedy's friendliness toward Rodgers is especially irritating to them because the NFL star was outspoken about alternative ways to treat COVID-19 during the pandemic. He also famously refused the jab while publicly claiming he had been "immunized," according to ESPN.
However, as the New York Post reported, Kennedy also has Democrats concerned as he veered into President Joe Biden's lane on some issues. He has come out in favor of funneling infrastructure dollars to reparations, which is a decidedly leftist policy.
"During Jim Crow, Black banks, businesses, hospitals, schools, and farms were targeted for destruction. Racists knew that without these, the Black community had no chance of building wealth. We must set federal dollars aside to rebuild Black infrastructure," Kennedy said in October.
Even as the media dismisses Kennedy, both parties should be worried that the voters are ready for someone new.
