Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has selected Nicole Shanahan, a tech attorney and entrepreneur, to join his independent presidential campaign as his running mate.
Kennedy announced the news during an event held in Oakland, California on Tuesday. During the event, he provided details on how their 2024 ticket will stand apart from those of President Biden and former President Trump.
During the event, he expressed admiration for Shanahan, highlighting her inspiring journey as the daughter of immigrants who triumphed over numerous challenges to attain the pinnacle of the American dream.
“I am incredibly proud to present to you the next vice president of the United States, Nicole Shanahan. She is not only a fellow lawyer, but also a brilliant scientist, technologist, and a fierce warrior-mom,” Kennedy announced with enthusiasm.
Kennedy’s selection of Shanahan brings a refreshing element of age and gender diversity to the ticket. At 38 years old, she represents a stark contrast to the 70-year-old Kennedy. Moreover, having a female running mate helps to balance the ticket, especially in an election where the leading candidates from the Democratic, Republican, and Independent parties are all older white men.
The Kennedy campaign has gained a valuable asset in its pursuit of funding with the support of Bia-Echo Foundation’s founder and president. This California-based entrepreneur, who is also the former spouse of Google co-founder Sergey Brin, has demonstrated a successful track record in securing financial resources. Notably, Shanahan played a crucial role in financing Kennedy’s widely viewed Super Bowl ad in February, which garnered the attention of millions of viewers. Additionally, she leveraged her expertise and founded ClearAccessIP, an analytics company, following her completion of law school.
Kennedy expressed his desire for a running mate who shares his strong concern about the collaboration of Big Tech companies in the censorship, surveillance, and information warfare that the government is currently engaging in against the American people. He emphasized that technology has always been one of Shanahan’s lifelong passions.
He said, “That’s why I’m hiring someone who has a comprehensive understanding of how Big Tech utilizes artificial intelligence to manipulate the general public.”
According to an exclusive report by Mediaite, Kennedy has made the decision to select Shanahan as his running mate to complete his ticket.
Shanahan explained that her political beliefs, which center around serving peace and helping those in poverty, initially led her to align with the Democratic Party. However, she expressed her concern that the party has deviated from its original path.
“I was naturally drawn to the Democratic Party because it was known as the party of peace and compassion. While there are still many Democrats who uphold these ideals, the party as a whole has veered off course,” she explained.
“There is currently only one candidate who strongly opposes war and advocates for peace, and surprisingly, he is not affiliated with either the Democratic Party or the Republican Party. Meet Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an independent candidate who stands out from the rest.”
In her speech, Shanahan made the announcement that she was departing from the Democratic Party.
“In this era of intense division in America, there is a pressing need for unity to prevent further tearing apart of our country. As Bobby Kennedy once wisely stated, it is crucial for us to shift our focus towards our shared values instead of dwelling on our differences,” she emphasized.
Being near Silicon Valley gives Kennedy an advantage in terms of access to wealthy sources for his White House campaign. This is crucial as he needs significant funding to support his extensive efforts to secure ballot access before the general election.
Kennedy’s campaign had to announce their No. 2 candidate earlier than usual because of specific laws and regulations in states where they are competing. In nearly half of these states, Kennedy needs a declared running mate to be eligible to collect signatures that will count towards his viability as a candidate in the upcoming fall.
Shanahan shares similar perspectives on social justice and the environment as Kennedy. In California, she generously contributed thousands of dollars to Proposition 57, a criminal justice reform initiative aimed at reducing incarceration rates, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. Additionally, she has actively participated in climate change initiatives, which aligns with Kennedy’s professional dedication to environmental advocacy.
Announcing a vice president will technically assist Kennedy in meeting the qualifications for more states, but he still has a long way to go before being regarded as a top-tier contender. Currently, he has secured a spot on the ballots in New Hampshire, Utah, and Hawaii. Additionally, his super PAC has independently gathered signatures for him in significant battleground states such as Michigan and Georgia.
Shanahan’s addition to the team is expected to boost enthusiasm for his campaign and attract new donors and supporters in the coming months. Allies of Kennedy are hopeful that Shanahan’s involvement will bring a fresh wave of support and resources to his insurgent campaign, especially before state deadlines approach.
