RFJ Jr. to Announce Running Mate Nicole Shanahan

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is reportedly poised to select California attorney and entrepreneur Nicole Shanahan as his running mate, as per a report.

Shanahan, a Democratic donor who was previously married to Google co-founder Sergey Brin, financed Kennedy's costly Super Bowl campaign commercial, according to Mediaite on Saturday.

RFK Jr. to name wealthy attorney Nicole Shanahan as running mate in prez run: report https://t.co/deJchvWiq1 pic.twitter.com/p0Kp2q4WPP

— New York Post (@nypost) March 16, 2024

Sources close to the campaign informed Mediaite that the duo share alignment on various issues, including Kennedy's criticism of vaccines. Shanahan's expected role includes facilitating financial support for Kennedy's challenging bid and assisting in securing ballot access across all 50 states.

The decision notably sidelines New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, whom Kennedy had considered as a potential Vice Presidential candidate, from the November ballot.

Kennedy's campaign refrained from confirming his choice. "There has been a lot of speculation in the media about Mr. Kennedy’s pick of vice presidential running mate," his campaign's press office told The New York Post in a statement. "The official announcement will be on March 26 in Oakland, CA. We hope to see you there."

Shanahan, 38, disclosed to The New York Times last month that she contributed $4 million to the super PAC, American Values 2024, to support the $7 million 30-second Super Bowl commercial.

While distancing herself from the label of "anti-vaxxer," she acknowledged her alignment with Kennedy's consistent critiques of vaccines. She identifies as a progressive with a focus on children's health.

Records obtained by The Times indicate that Shanahan donated to President Biden's 2020 campaign and contributed the maximum of $6,600 to Kennedy's campaign in May 2023 while he was vying for the Democratic nomination.

Shanahan's marriage to Brin concluded last summer following reports of her involvement with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, with whom she reportedly had a brief romantic entanglement in December 2021.

Musk and Brin's friendship reportedly soured following Musk and Shanahan's alleged involvement. Musk has denied the accusations, dismissing them as "total bs" in a post on X in July 2022.

Kennedy's campaign has been diligently working to secure funding for ballot access across all states as an independent, estimating a budget of $15 million. Presently, he has qualified for the ballot in only four states: Hawaii, Nevada, New Hampshire, and Utah.