The independent presidential candidate RFK Jr. announced attorney and tech entrepreneur Nicole Shanahan as his running mate at a rally in Oakland, California.

Nicole Shanahan's selection is aimed at speeding up Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 's efforts to get on the ballot in many states, as nearly half require a vice presidential pick for this process.

She is also expected to broaden Kennedy's appeal and assist in fundraising.

Speculation suggests Shanahan may be financially support the campaign due to her wealth and previous marriage to Google co-founder Sergey Brin, according to CNN.

RFK Jr. cited shared values and alignment in leadership principles as reasons for choosing Shanahan.

He emphasized the importance of her administrative skills, curiosity, open-mindedness, and love for the United States.

While presidential candidates typically announce their VP picks closer to their party conventions, Kennedy's early announcement is intended to aid the campaign's transition to the next phase of securing ballot access.

RFK Jr. VP Pick and Campaign Challenges in Nevada

In Nevada, independent candidates were instructed by Democratic Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar to choose a vice presidential candidate before collecting signatures, following Kennedy's announcement of having gathered enough signatures in the state, AP News reports.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. urged Americans to vote for him despite perceptions of his chances, expressing confidence in his running mate Nicole Shanahan.

Shanahan, in a speech to RFK Jr. supporters, echoed his criticism of major parties, media, and the government's ties to profit-driven interests, also endorsing his anti-vaccine stance.

The venue's surroundings highlighted California's housing crisis.

Dawn Mitchell, a retired Army reservist from Virginia, traveled six hours to hear Kennedy and Shanahan, impressed by Shanahan's advocacy for children's welfare and other issues.

Speakers before Kennedy included Angela Stanton-King, pardoned by Trump for involvement in a car theft ring, NBA star Metta World Peace, and Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a Stanford professor critical of COVID-19 lockdowns.

The Democratic National Committee plans to challenge Kennedy and other third-party candidates, including No Labels, backed by strategist Mary Beth Cahill, who previously worked with Senator Edward M. Kennedy.

Nicole Shanahan: A Profile of Activism and Philanthropy

The chosen RFK Jr. VP, Nicole Shanahan, who declined interview requests, hails from a diverse background.

Her mother is a Chinese immigrant, while her father, of German Irish descent, battled schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Shanahan shared her challenging upbringing in Oakland, where her family relied on welfare, facing financial instability due to her father's employment difficulties, USA Today noted.

Reflecting on her formative years, Shanahan highlighted a transformative trip to El Salvador during high school, where she witnessed the aftermath of a civil war.

This experience instilled in her a commitment to pacifism and activism, leading her to organize protests advocating for peace.

After studying at the University of Puget Sound, Shanahan pursued a career in law, initially working as a paralegal and patent specialist.

Her marriage to Jeremy Asher Kranz lasted from 2013 to 2015, coinciding with her time at Santa Clara University School of Law, where she graduated in 2014.

Shanahan met Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google, at a yoga retreat in 2014, leading to their marriage in 2018 and the birth of their daughter Echo.

They separated in 2021 and finalized their divorce the following year.

Nicole Shanahan's philanthropic endeavors include founding and leading the Bia-Echo Foundation, supported by a substantial donation from Brin.

She contributed $4 million to a high-profile Kennedy advertisement during the Super Bowl and made significant donations to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s campaign and affiliated groups.

Additionally, Shanahan has supported various political candidates in the past, including Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. picks Nicole Shanahan as his running mate for his independent White House bid - From NBC Bay Area