Staff Reports
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is causing a stir in the 2024 election, potentially stealing more voters away from former President Donald Trump than President Joe Biden, according to new data. A Politico analysis of campaign finance reveals that Kennedy’s campaign is attracting more donors who previously donated to Republicans than to Democrats.
.@RobertKennedyJr getting more money from Trump donors than Biden donors: Report
DETAILS: https://t.co/yds95tGcGA https://t.co/yds95tGcGA
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) November 1, 2023
Out of the $10 million Kennedy raised in the third quarter, $6.6 million came from big-dollar donors who had not donated in the 2020 or 2016 elections. Among the remaining large-dollar donors, $2 million came from people with a history of donating through WinRed, the GOP fundraising service. In comparison, $1.4 million came from individuals with a history of donating through ActBlue, the Democrat’s fundraising service.
The report also reveals that Kennedy donors who contributed to Trump in 2020 gave $593,000, while those who donated to Biden gave $189,000. This data suggests that Kennedy could be siphoning more support from Trump’s previous donors, potentially hurting the former president’s chances in a hypothetical matchup.
Kennedy, who initially sought the Democratic nomination in 2024 before switching to an independent run, has caught the attention of the Republican National Committee (RNC). RNC chairwoman Ronna McDaniel wasted no time criticizing Kennedy, saying, “A Democrat in Independent’s clothing is still a Democrat. RFK Jr. cannot hide from his record of endorsing Hillary, supporting the Green New Deal, fighting against the Keystone Pipeline, and praising AOC’s tax hikes — he is your typical elitist liberal and voters won’t be fooled.”
This development has both major parties concerned, as they vie for the support of independent voters in the upcoming election. Democrats are particularly wary, given the blame placed on Green Party candidate Jill Stein in 2016 for taking away votes in a close presidential election. Additionally, Republicans want to avoid any third-party spoiler candidates in the anticipated tight race of 2024.
In these early stages, Kennedy’s campaign has already disrupted the political landscape and may play a significant role in shaping the outcome of the 2024 election. Only time will tell how his candidacy will impact the choices of voters and the overall campaign dynamic.
Kennedy’s ability to attract former Republican donors speaks to his broad appeal and possibly reflects dissatisfaction with Trump among conservative voters. It highlights the need for Republicans to address the concerns of their base and offer a candidate who can rally widespread support. This is a pivotal moment for the party as they search for their nominee to compete against the Democrats.
