Staff Reports
An independent presidential candidate with the famous name Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has officially been added to Michigan’s ballot, causing concern for supporters of both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Biden received endorsements from 15 members of the Kennedy political family during a recent event in Philadelphia. The Natural Law Party, a minor party in Michigan, nominated Kennedy at a convention, paving the way for his candidacy in the state.
RFK Jr. secures ballot access in battleground state of Michigan https://t.co/wAanRS9eNG
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) April 18, 2024
To appear on all 50 states’ ballots and the District of Columbia without the support of a political party, Kennedy will face a challenging and time-consuming process. So far, Michigan and Utah have confirmed his presence on their ballots, and his campaign claims to have collected enough signatures in other states, including Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and North Carolina, although these signatures are yet to be validated by election officials.
Independent candidates typically face significant obstacles in a political system dominated by two major parties, but Kennedy is calling on Americans to “take a risk” and support his campaign. Kennedy has garnered a devoted following among voters who are disillusioned with American institutions, particularly for his activism against the scientific consensus on vaccine safety and effectiveness.
The Democratic National Committee has pledged to mount a vigorous challenge against Kennedy, including legal action to contest his ballot access and the airing of advertisements linking him to Trump supporters. Additionally, a lawsuit by the organization led by Kennedy, Children’s Health Defense, is pending against several news outlets, alleging violations of antitrust laws related to their actions against misinformation about COVID-19 and vaccines.
Kennedy’s independent bid for the presidency has implications for both major parties and could potentially impact the November election, stirring significant interest and concern among political observers.
