Anti-vaxxer Robert Kennedy Jr. announces his candidacy without naming

He presents himself as “free of all party loyalty.” Monday, Robert Kennedy Jr He officially announced himself to Presidential elections November 2024 As an independent candidate. He is 69 years old, the controversial and much-talked-about nephew of JFK Through his conspiracy on Covid and vaccinesThus, he gives up the Democratic nomination – which he had no chance of winning – and could influence the potential duel between Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

The son of former Democratic Attorney General and presidential candidate Robert Kennedy told his supporters: “I will serve only my conscience, my Creator, and you.” He attacked Joe Biden, “whom 75% of Americans consider too old,” and Donald Trump, “who faces several civil and criminal actions.”

With this nomination as a third-party candidate, RFK Jr. will have to fight to get his name on the ballot. In some states, it is first necessary to collect thousands, even tens of thousands, of voter signatures.

Biden and Trump are on the defensive

Referendum Produced by Reuters Last week, he placed it at a high level, as the percentage of voting intentions reached 14%, compared to 38% for Biden and 40% for Donald Trump. However, it is common for independent candidates to start at the top and then fall back to end up with less than 3%. The main exception is billionaire Ross Perot in 1996, who received 8% of the vote during Bill Clinton’s victory over Bob Dole.

Both Joe Biden and Donald Trump may have reason to worry. RFK Jr. could appeal to Democrats who are disillusioned with Biden, especially regarding his past as a lawyer who specializes in environmental issues. But with his anti-vaccine conspiracy and populist candidacy on the economy and foreign policy, he could cut into Donald Trump’s electorate, especially among white workers.

Although rarely talked about, “minor” candidates can influence the vote, especially in “swing states” that are decided by fewer than 50,000 votes. Some Democratic experts had accused Green Jill Stein of costing Hillary Clinton her victory in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, and thus the US presidential elections.

After announcing his candidacy, four of his brothers and sisters attacked the black sheep of the Kennedy family: “Our brother Bobby’s decision to run against Joe Biden constitutes a danger to the country. Bobby may have the same name as our father, but he doesn’t share the same values ​​as us. »

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