RFK Jr. Ensures His Place on California’s Ballot

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an independent candidate, has achieved a significant milestone in his presidential campaign by securing a spot on California’s ballot, the state with the largest number of electoral college votes in the nation, as reported by The Hill.

Teaming up with Nicole Shanahan, Kennedy received the endorsement of the American Independent Party (AIP) of California. The campaign officially filed the necessary paperwork with California’s secretary of state on Monday to confirm their qualification.

In a five-minute video statement, Kennedy acknowledged the American Independent Party’s history with segregationist George Wallace. However, he emphasized the party’s evolution, now portraying it as a symbol of “compassion, unity, idealism, and common sense.”

California marks the third state where Kennedy and Shanahan have gained ballot access, following Utah and Michigan. They have also secured enough signatures for ballot inclusion in seven other states, including New Hampshire, Nevada, Hawaii, North Carolina, Idaho, Nebraska, and Iowa.

Transitioning from the Democratic to an independent ticket last fall, Kennedy aims to establish a consistent ballot presence across all 50 states, positioning himself as an alternative to President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. He has consistently raised concerns about the presumptive party nominees’ leadership abilities.

While Kennedy’s campaign continues to gather signatures in all 50 states before the respective deadlines, experts predict that certain battleground states could heavily influence the Election Day outcome.

Currently, Kennedy is the leading third-party candidate in polls. However, his support against Biden and Trump has decreased based on a poll aggregation by Decision Desk HQ and The Hill.

As of Monday, Kennedy holds approximately 8.5% of the electorate, trailing Trump with just over 42% and Biden with almost 41%.