Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has successfully filed enough signatures to be included on Maine’s presidential ballot this November, confirming his status as an independent candidate. Kennedy, an environmental attorney and well-known anti-vaccination activist, collected over 4,800 signatures from registered voters, surpassing the required threshold.
Initially planning to challenge President Biden in the Democratic primary, Kennedy shifted gears and decided to run as an independent. His campaign has also secured ballot access in 34 states and qualified in over a dozen, though his chances of winning are considered slim. Despite this, his presence on ballots nationwide could have an impact on the race.
Kennedy, a member of the prominent Kennedy family, is known for his anti-vaccination advocacy through organizations like Children’s Health Defense. While this has drawn criticism from public health groups and vaccine advocates for spreading misinformation, it may attract support from vaccine skeptics and Republican or libertarian voters.
A recent poll in Maine showed Kennedy polling at 4%, with Vice President Kamala Harris leading at 48% and former President Donald Trump at 40%. Kennedy’s unique platform and family background may make him a compelling choice for voters looking for an alternative to mainstream candidates.endez said in a statement. “We collected signatures from nearly all of our 500 municipalities, highlighting the enormous support for Kennedy in Maine.”
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