Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Remains on Michigan Ballot Despite Campaign Suspension
Kennedy Suspends Campaign and Endorses Trump
Despite suspending his campaign for the White House and endorsing Republican Donald Trump, independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will still appear on Michigan ballots in November. The decision to remain on the ballot stems from Kennedy’s earlier nomination by the Natural Law Party, which took place during its state convention in April.
Legal Constraints Keep Kennedy on the Ballot
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s office confirmed that Kennedy’s name would remain on the Nov. 5 general election ballot as the Natural Law Party’s nominee. According to Cheri Hardmon, a spokesperson for Benson, “Minor party candidates cannot withdraw, so his name will remain on the ballot.” This legal constraint means that despite Kennedy’s shift in political stance, his supporters in Michigan may still vote for him.
Kennedy’s Surprising Endorsement of Trump
At a press conference held in Phoenix, Kennedy announced that he was suspending his campaign and would attempt to remove his name from the ballot in 10 battleground swing states. He also expressed his support for Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris, despite his longstanding affiliation with the Democratic Party.
Kennedy cited several reasons for his decision, including free speech concerns, the war in Ukraine, and what he described as “a war on our children.” He claimed that his internal polling indicated his presence in the race would harm Trump’s chances and benefit the Democratic nominee, Kamala Harris. However, public polls do not clearly indicate that Kennedy is significantly affecting support for either major-party candidate.
Efforts to Withdraw from Other States
Kennedy’s campaign has taken legal action in Pennsylvania to remove his name from the ballot and is pursuing similar steps in Arizona. However, election officials in Nevada and Wisconsin have stated that it is too late for Kennedy to withdraw his name from the general election ballot in those crucial battleground states.
Michigan’s Election Law and the Natural Law Party
Michigan’s election laws further complicate the situation. Hardmon explained that Michigan Election Law requires presidential electors to be selected at the fall state convention, which must occur no later than the date of the primary. The Natural Law Party selected Kennedy’s electors at its convention, and it is now too late to choose new electors.
Reaction from the Natural Law Party
Doug Dern, chairman of the Natural Law Party of Michigan, expressed frustration with Kennedy’s actions, stating he felt “used and taken advantage of” by the candidate. Dern criticized Kennedy for seemingly supporting third-party politics only to return to the two-party system.
Conclusion
Despite suspending his campaign and endorsing Trump, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. remains on Michigan’s November ballot. His supporters in the state may still cast their votes for him, though his name’s presence on the ballot has sparked controversy within the Natural Law Party. As Kennedy attempts to withdraw from other key states, the impact of his decision on the upcoming election remains to be seen.