Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced Silicon Valley attorney and entrepreneur Nicole Shanahan as his running mate. The announcement was made at a rally in Oakland, California, where Kennedy introduced Shanahan as the next vice president of the United States.
Shanahan's selection is seen as a strategic move to help Kennedy gain ballot access in as many states as possible. In nearly half of US states, having a named vice presidential pick is a requirement to advance the process of making it onto the ballot.
Aside from assisting with ballot access, Shanahan is expected to play a crucial role in expanding Kennedy's appeal to a wider audience. Additionally, there is speculation that Shanahan, a successful entrepreneur and former spouse of Google co-founder Sergey Brin, may contribute financially to Kennedy's campaign.
In his statement, Kennedy highlighted the qualities he sought in a running mate, emphasizing the importance of having a partner with strong administrative skills, intellectual curiosity, adaptability, compassion, idealism, and a deep love for the United States. He expressed his satisfaction in finding all these qualities in Shanahan, who he described as a woman with roots in Oakland.
