Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has recently reached out to N.F.L. quarterback Aaron Rodgers and former Minnesota governor and professional wrestler Jesse Ventura about potentially joining him as his running mate on an independent presidential ticket.
Both individuals have expressed their openness to the idea, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
RFK Jr. Considerinng Aaron Rodgers, Jesse Ventura as Running Mate
Scoop here: Jets QB Aaron Rodgers and former MN Gov. Jesse Ventura top RFK Jr's list for running mate. Both have welcomed the overtures. https://t.co/RtKNkaLuxr
— Rebecca Davis O'Brien (@rebeccadobrien) March 12, 2024
Kennedy confirmed on Tuesday that Rodgers and Ventura were his top priority. It remains uncertain if either individual has received a formal job offer. According to NYT sources said Kennedy is currently evaluating a list of potential candidates.
Kennedy mentioned that he had been in regular contact with Rodgers for the past month, and had also been communicating with Ventura since the former governor introduced him at a campaign event in Arizona.
Rodgers is anticipated to begin playing for the New York Jets this fall, right in the middle of campaign season. The participation of Ventura or Rodgers could bring star power and independent enthusiasm to Kennedy's outsider campaign.
Concerns have been raised by Democrats that Kennedy might draw votes from President Joe Biden, potentially impacting the election outcome in favor of former President Donald Trump. Efforts have been made by Biden's supporters to prevent Kennedy from appearing on the ballot in various states.
Including a celebrity in that list could bring more attention to Kennedy's candidacy. Recent data indicates that those concerns are valid.
Even though he aligns with Rodgers on controversial topics like the COVID-19 vaccine, Kennedy garners 11.3% backing in a theoretical face-off against former Trump (41.6%) and Biden (38.6%), as per information gathered by The Hill, a source focusing on Congress and political campaigns.
Rodgers has previously expressed his support for Kennedy, stating his intention to vote for the environmental lawyer in 2024, and endorsing the politician's views on vaccinations and "medical freedom."
Rodgers, who was sidelined for most of the 2023 NFL season due to a torn Achilles, has previously stated that he considers himself more of an athlete than an activist. However, he has consistently expressed his views on public and political matters during his appearances on ESPN's 'The Pat McAfee Show.'
Moreover, Ventura participated in a Kennedy rally in Arizona last month, while Rodgers was recently featured in a photo on Kennedy's social media accounts, showing the two men hiking.
RFK Jr.'s Campaign
Kennedy is expected to choose a running mate in the upcoming weeks, as his campaign manager informed ABC News. This is mainly because he needs one to be eligible for ballot access in specific states.
He started his campaign last year as a Democrat and later revealed in October that he would run as an independent instead. This decision allowed him to avoid competing against President Joe Biden in the Democratic primaries to secure a spot on the general election ballot.
His campaign would need to work on getting his name on the ballot in every state, a challenge that has deterred many potential presidential candidates from running as a third-party candidate.
Kennedy has also shown interest in the Libertarian Party, which has a guaranteed place on the ballot. The Libertarians are set to select their 2024 ticket at a convention later this spring.
According to polling data, Kennedy attracts voters from both parties' candidates, potentially causing more damage to Biden than Trump due to Biden's lower standing in several surveys compared to the former president.
