Robert F. Kennedy Jr., running as an independent for president, is set to choose Nicole Shanahan, a lawyer and entrepreneur from California, as his vice-presidential candidate. This information comes from a recent report. Shanahan, who has previously donated to Democratic causes and was once married to Google co-founder Sergey Brin, played a significant role in financing Kennedy’s expensive Super Bowl ad campaign.
The two share common ground on various issues, notably their critical stance on vaccines. Shanahan’s financial support is seen as crucial for Kennedy’s ambitious campaign, aiming to secure a spot on the ballot in all 50 states. This development sidelines New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who Kennedy had mentioned as a potential running mate, from the November election race.
Kennedy’s campaign has yet to officially confirm this decision. However, they’ve hinted at a significant announcement to be made in Oakland, CA, on March 26, inviting public anticipation. Shanahan, 38, revealed to The New York Times that she contributed $4 million to the super PAC, American Values 2024, which helped fund a $7 million Super Bowl commercial. Despite not labeling herself as an “anti-vaxxer,” she aligns with Kennedy’s frequent critiques of vaccines and identifies as a progressive concerned about children’s health.
Her political contributions include donations to President Biden’s 2020 campaign and a maximum contribution of $6,600 to Kennedy’s campaign in May 2023, while he was still seeking the Democratic nomination. Shanahan’s personal life has also been in the spotlight. She married Brin in 2018, but their marriage ended last summer amid rumors of her involvement with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, which both Musk and Shanahan have denied.
Kennedy, who initially challenged President Biden as a Democrat, switched to an independent bid in October. He has emerged as a leading third-party candidate, consistently achieving double-digit poll numbers behind Biden and former President Donald Trump. Kennedy’s campaign is focused on raising $15 million to secure ballot access nationwide, a goal that remains challenging with qualifications in only four states so far: Hawaii, Nevada, New Hampshire, and Utah.