Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made waves Monday after formally announcing his switch from seeking the 2024 Democratic Party nomination to launching an independent bid for the presidency.
“I’m here to declare myself an independent candidate,” Kennedy said at a campaign event in Philadelphia.
The son of former U.S. attorney general Robert F. Kennedy and nephew to former president John F. Kennedy said that he wants to make a “new declaration of independence,” ridding the nation of the corrupt influence seen in corporations, the news media, and the two major political parties.
“I’ve come here today to declare our independence from the tyranny of corruption which robs us of affordable lives, our belief in the future, and our respect for each other,” Kennedy told the crowd. “But to do that I must first declare my own independence. Independence from the Democratic Party and from all other political parties.”
While voters present at the campaign rally were enthused about the news, Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said Kennedy is “still a Democrat,” warning GOP voters of his independent run.
“Make no mistake – a Democrat in Independent’s clothing is still a Democrat. RFK Jr. cannot hide from his record of endorsing Hillary, supporting the Green New Deal, fighting against the Keystone Pipeline, and praising AOC’s tax hikes – he is your typical elitist liberal and voters won’t be fooled,” McDaniel said in a statement posted to X. “American families deserve commonsense leadership that will return America’s energy independence, stop Bidenflation, secure our border, and get our country back on track, which is why our Republican nominee will be the next President of the United States.”
The former Democrat’s announcement comes as a result of his open frustration with the Democratic National Committee’s refusal to endorse an open primary contest between him and incumbent President Joe Biden. Kennedy was previously struggling in the polls among Democratic voters, although in recent months he has gained significant support from conservative-leaning and independent voters because of his anti-establishment views and skepticism regarding the Covid-19 vaccine.
Next week, Kennedy is slated to speak at a Conservative Political Action Conference event in Las Vegas, Nev., where he will join GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake, Texas attorney general Ken Paxton, Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy, and other prominent conservative figures. The four-day conference will begin October 18.
“Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has a unique voice in advocating for the defunding of the weaponized bureaucracy and ensuring the constitutional right of medical freedom,” CPAC chairman Matt Schlapp said in a statement. “Kennedy joining such an important event is a reflection of the splintering of the left-wing coalition that has gone full woke Marxist to the point that traditional liberals don’t feel welcome anymore.”