Kennedy family condemns RFK Jr.’s independent run, calls it ‘perilous’ for US

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s family members have condemned his decision to run as an independent in the 2024 presidential election, claiming that he “does not share the same values, vision or judgment.”

Kennedy’s announcement on Monday follows weeks of speculation that the candidate would leave the Democratic Party and run as an independent. The statement from Kennedy’s family, which claimed that his announcement was “deeply saddening,” was signed by four of his siblings: Kerry Kennedy, Rory Kennedy, Joseph Patrick Kennedy II, and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend.

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“The decision of our brother Bobby to run as a third party candidate against Joe Biden is dangerous to our country,” the statement read. “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. We denounce his candidacy and believe it to be perilous for our country.”

Kennedy stated in his speech in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that he and his supporters were declaring independence “from the two political parties” through his independent presidential run. He claimed doing so was needed because these things “are incompatible with the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

The announcement from Kennedy, the son of late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, marks the start of a potentially big change for the 2024 presidential election, as Kennedy has received support from both sides of the political aisle.

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A new poll from Reuters/Ipsos last week showed that he could hypothetically secure the votes of 1 in 7 voters in a matchup between himself, former President Donald Trump, and Biden. In a poll between the three, he garnered 14%, while Trump had 33% and Biden had 31%, with Kennedy pulling support from both men.

Prior to Kennedy’s announcement, the 2024 election between Biden and Trump, the front-runner of the Republican Party’s primary race, was considered a very close election, with the Marquette Law School national survey showing Trump getting 51% to 48% among registered voters, and Biden receiving 51% to Trump’s 49% among likely voters. Both of the matchups were within the margins of error.