Robert F. Kennedy Jr declares independent 2024 presidential run, raises millions more

PHILADELPHIA - Mr Robert F. Kennedy Jr, an environmental lawyer, anti-vaccine activist and son of the former senator, announced on Monday that he is dropping his Democratic Party bid for president and will run as an independent.

Mr Kennedy sought to cast himself as a unifier and a voice for voters who are fed up with the United States’ partisan divides and vitriol, calling them a hurdle for improving the country. 

“People stop me everywhere, in airports and hotels and on the street. And they remind me that this country is ready for a history-making change... I’m here today to declare myself an independent candidate,” he told a crowd gathered in front of the National Constitution Centre in Philadelphia.

American Values 2024, a super-PAC supporting the candidate, has raised US$17 million (S$23.2 million), said co-founder Tony Lyons, and he expects US$10 million more after the announcement.

Mr Kennedy’s announcement complicates a 2024 race heading towards

a rematch between President Joe Biden,

a Democrat, and former president Donald Trump, the Republican front runner in opinion polls. Both remain unpopular with large sections of the American public.

Mr Kennedy’s siblings – Ms Kerry Kennedy, Ms Rory Kennedy and Mr Joseph Kennedy II – on Monday denounced their brother’s candidacy in a statement: “Bobby might share the same name as our father, but he does not share the same values, vision or judgment. Today’s announcement is deeply saddening for us.”

Mr Kennedy’s combination of deep-pocketed backers, famous name and lack of enthusiasm for Trump or Mr Biden, could give his campaign heft, political strategists said.

He could draw the support of about one in seven US voters, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released last week, and pull votes from both Mr Biden and Trump.

Third-party candidates have failed to win in US presidential races, but they have played a major role in who does win.

At a Democratic National Committee gathering in St Louis last week, party faithful were both dismissive and concerned.

“Outside of his name, what does he have? He’s an anathema to his family’s legacy. It’s sort of a disgrace,” said Mr Ken Martin, head of Minnesota’s Democratic Party.

Others expressed caution.

“It’s going to be a very, very close race, so every vote counts,” said Mr Charles Wilson, chair of Washington, DC Democratic Party. 

Many Democrats point to the challenges independent candidates face getting on general election ballots in many states, such as collecting tens of thousands of signatures.

“It is a huge challenge. The two major parties have made it impossible for third-party candidates to get on the ballot,” said Ms Diane Sare, an independent candidate for the US Senate in New York.

The Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee did not return requests for comment. REUTERS