Environmental lawyer and former Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced his candidacy as an independent for the 2024 US Presidential Elections, marking his departure from the national Democratic Party, according to CNN.

Kennedy made this announcement in Philadelphia, officially ending his effort to challenge President Joe Biden in the Democratic primary and opting for a long-shot independent bid in the general election.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s decision to run as an independent comes after weeks of speculation about his political future, including meetings with the chair of the Libertarian Party and a super PAC poll testing his strength in a hypothetical three-way race with Biden and former President Donald Trump.

The Kennedy campaign plans to hold a series of events in Texas, Florida, and Georgia in the coming months, with a commitment to campaign extensively nationwide in the lead-up to the November 2024 general election. They express confidence in gaining ballot access in all states.

While independent and third-party candidates have faced challenges in past presidential elections, there have been exceptions, such as Ross Perot, who received 8% of the vote in the 1992 general election.

The emergence of Kennedy as an independent candidate is seen as a potential threat to President Biden's reelection, particularly as Trump is increasingly likely to secure the Republican nomination.

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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Left National Democratic Party

Kennedy's decision to break with the Democratic Party was marked by a video release in which he criticized what he claimed was "corruption" in the leadership of both political parties, per CNBC.

In a video released before his major announcement, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. articulated his perspective on challenging established interests in Washington.

He believed that winning against these entrenched interests would require departing from what he sees as corrupt rules manipulated by powerful entities to maintain their control.

This sentiment underscores Kennedy's motivation to run as an independent presidential candidate in the 2024 election, marking his departure from the Democratic Party.

Despite being the son of Senator Robert Kennedy and the nephew of President John F. Kennedy, both Democratic Party icons, Kennedy cited his opposition to certain policies and what he perceived as corruption as reasons for his departure.

Kennedy's candidacy has drawn attention due to his unconventional views, including promoting baseless anti-vaccine conspiracies during the COVID-19 pandemic and opposing US aid to Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.

These positions have garnered him support from high-profile figures on the far right.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Supporters

Democrats are concerned that Kennedy's candidacy could divert votes from President Joe Biden, even though Kennedy has garnered praise from some Republicans, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Financian Times noted.

He has appealed to those skeptical of US aid to Ukraine and the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kennedy's supporters include prominent figures like Tim Mellon, a GOP donor, former Overstock.com CEO Patrick Byrne, venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya, and funding from a group backed by Silicon Valley investor David Sacks.

The path to the Democratic nomination for Kennedy appeared improbable, as Joe Biden maintained a significant lead in national polls of Democratic voters.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s espousal of conspiracy theories and positions at odds with most Democratic voters further complicated his candidacy within the party.

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Written by: Bert Hoover

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