- Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is interested in having Aaron Rodgers or Jesse Ventura serve as vice president
- The New York Times reported Tuesday on Kennedy’s moves to recruit the two unconventional running mates
- Because Kennedy is running as an independent, he’ll have to name a vice presidential pick in the next few weeks to appear on the ballot in some states
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is interested in having NFL star Aaron Rodgers or ex-wrestler Jesse ‘The Body’ Ventura as his vice presidential pick.
The New York Times reported Tuesday that Kennedy approached both Rodgers and Ventura, a former governor of Minnesota, about appearing on his ticket, sources told the paper.
Rodgers is still playing in the NFL – and is supposed to be a starting quarterback for the New York Jets come fall.
Like Kennedy, he’s a prominent vaccine skeptic.
Ventura introduced Kennedy at a campaign event in Arizona last month and the two have been in touch since.
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will need to name a vice presidential pick in the next few weeks in order to appear on some states’ general election ballots
Kennedy has been talking to New York Jets player Aaron Rodgers (left) and ex-wrestler and former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura (right) as possible running mates
Unlike former President Donald Trump, who can take his time announcing a vice presidential pick, for Kennedy to appear on the general election ballot in some states as an independent, he’ll have to name a running mate in the next few weeks.
It’s unclear if Rodgers or Ventura are seriously considering it.
Both choices are unconventional – like Kennedy’s run to begin with – and could add some star power to the scion’s independent run.
However, picking Rodgers or Ventura – and not someone who’s recently held elected office – could show voters that Kennedy is unserious about winning.
Ventura only served one term as governor, deciding not to run for reelection, and that was 21 years ago.
Democrats have already blasted Kennedy for his presidential run – including members of the candidate’s famous family.
Kennedy started his campaign last year as a Democrat and then announced in October he’s run as an independent instead – meaning he wouldn’t have to compete against President Joe Biden in the Democratic primaries to appear on the general election ballot.
Instead his campaign would have to try and get his name on the ballot in every single state, a feat that has kept most aspiring presidential candidates away from running third-party.
Kennedy has also flirted with the Libertarian Party, who has a permanent spot on the presidential ballot.
The Libertarians will pick their 2024 ticket at a convention later this spring.
Democrats fear that Kennedy will play spoiler for Biden, allowing Trump his second term.
Polling shows that Kennedy picks off voters from both parties’ candidates – though would likely do more harm to Biden than Trump, in part because Biden is trailing the former president in a number of surveys.