Robert F. Kennedy Jr. withdraws from Arizona presidential ballot
Kennedy to exit race, endorse Trump amid campaign struggles
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has withdrawn his petition to appear on the Arizona ballot, the Arizona secretary of state’s office confirmed Thursday night. This marks the first clear indication that Kennedy intends to leave the presidential race.
“We processed withdrawal forms for RFK before the ballot printing deadline,” said Arizona secretary of state spokesperson JP Martin. “No changes can be made to reinstate the electors on the ballot now.”
The deadline for ballot printing in Arizona is 6 a.m. Friday. If Kennedy’s campaign had not filed the withdrawal paperwork by then, his name would have appeared on the November ballot regardless.
RELATED??? EARLIER TODAY: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Filed Paperwork with AZSOS Office: Withdraws from 2024 Election & Race for President
— TOMORROW: President Trump Rally in Phoenix (Glendale) AZ —#MCRC pic.twitter.com/dLrabapGla
— Maricopa County Republican Committee | MCRC (@MaricopaGOP) August 23, 2024
Sources revealed that Kennedy plans to exit the race on Friday and endorse former President Donald Trump. A concerted push from Trump’s team, led by Donald Trump Jr., Tucker Carlson, and donor Omeed Malik, began about a week before the Republican National Convention to secure Kennedy’s endorsement.
Initially, it was unclear to Trump’s team whether Kennedy’s campaign affected Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris more. This became evident when Harris became the Democratic nominee, showing Kennedy would draw more votes from Trump.
Trump and Kennedy spoke by phone after an assassination attempt on Trump in Pennsylvania last month and met in person in Milwaukee during the Republican National Convention. Days later, Kennedy’s son leaked part of the phone call. During a Zoom meeting with supporters, He showed attendees a call from Trump, stepped away for 10 minutes, and returned to say Trump had thanked him for a message apologising for the leak.
Despite plans to exit the race and endorse Trump, some in Kennedy’s inner circle have expressed concerns. Kennedy is described as notoriously indecisive, though there is no indication he plans to alter his course.
Kennedy’s campaign attributes its current difficulties to Democratic-led lawsuits over ballot access, which have drained resources. Nicole Shanahan, Kennedy’s running mate, stated that these lawsuits have consumed money, time, and energy that could have been used for campaigning.
“We’re being prosecuted politically right now. This is not normal for democracy,” said Shanahan. She also highlighted their desire for national unity and their commitment to advancing their causes, even outside the White House.
Regarding talks with Trump and his team, Shanahan noted, “All we can do is gauge sincerity, and we’re gauging sincerity from Donald Trump.”
What Other Media Are Saying
- AP News reports that Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s speech in Arizona, addressing the current historical moment and his future direction, has intensified speculation about his potential withdrawal from the race and endorsing Donald Trump, amidst challenges in securing ballot access and campaign finances.(read more)
- The New York Times reports that Vice President Kamala Harris and her new running mate, Gov. Tim Walz, are making a Midwest swing, highlighting their campaign as Democrats strive for success in the region.(read more)
- The New York Times reports that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has withdrawn from the Arizona presidential primary, citing concerns over the state’s election laws and the difficulty of mounting a successful campaign.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Why did Robert F. Kennedy Jr. withdraw from the Arizona ballot?
He plans to exit the presidential race and endorse Donald Trump.
When is the ballot printing deadline in Arizona?
The ballot printing deadline is 6 a.m. on Friday.
Who from Trump’s team pushed for Kennedy’s endorsement?
Donald Trump Jr., Tucker Carlson, and Omeed Malik.
What impact did Kennedy’s campaign have on Trump and Kamala Harris?
Surveys showed Kennedy would take more votes from Trump than from Harris.
What issues did Kennedy’s campaign face?
The campaign faced numerous lawsuits over ballot access, draining resources.
