Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is expected to announce attorney and entrepreneur Nicole Shanahan as his running mate Tuesday, The New York Times reported, citing two people close to the campaign.
The event marks a critical moment for Kennedy’s White House bid that could accelerate his efforts to gain ballot access in all 50 states. His vice-presidential pick, which will be announced at an event in Oakland, California, will also be tasked with broadening Kennedy’s appeal and helping raise money for his big-spending campaign.
Earlier this month, Kennedy told CNN he had already “made up his mind” on a ticket mate. In addition to Shanahan, those considered for the position included former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura, NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers, former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Republican Sen. Rand Paul, former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang, former television host Mike Rowe, motivational speaker Tony Robbins and civil rights lawyer Tricia Lindsay.
Kennedy said in an interview that aired Sunday that the person he had chosen as a running mate “has ties” to the area around Oakland.
“The candidate that we’ve chosen has ties to the area. I also have a great affection for Oakland. My father campaigned there and got tremendous support in 1968 during his presidential campaign,” Kennedy, the son of former US Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, told Bay Area Fox affiliate KTVU.
Two members on Kennedy’s reported shortlist of candidates have prominent ties to the Bay Area: Shanahan, who was born in Oakland and was previously married to Google co-founder Sergey Brin, and Rodgers, who was born in Chico, California, and played football at the University of California, Berkeley.
