Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on Monday that he is switching from a Democrat to an independent amid the White House bid.
Speaking in front of a packed crowd of supporters in Philadelphia, Kennedy Jr. said that he is abandoning his bid for the Democratic nomination for the presidency in 2024 and instead running as an independent candidate.
“I’m here to declare myself an independent candidate for president of the United States,” he said at Independence Mall. “We declare independence from the cynical elites who betray our hope and who amplify our divisions. And finally, we declare independence from the two political parties.”
Kennedy was greeted by around 400 people outside the National Constitution Center, who chanted “RFK, all the way” and “Robby” in front of a stage covered in banners for Kennedy 2024 with the slogan, “Declare Your Independence.” He charged the crowd into a populist message in his speech, denouncing corporations, the media and political elites having together corrupted the government.
Some members of the Kennedy family released a joint statement condemning his announcement, calling it “deeply saddening” and “perilous for our country.”
“Bobby might share the same name as our father, but he does not share the same values, vision or judgment,” read the statement from Rory Kennedy, Kerry Kennedy, Joseph P Kennedy II and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend. However, his children are supportive of his bid, and his daughter-in-law, Amaryllis Fox, is a co-manager of his campaign.
Kennedy is an up-and-coming presidential candidate whose family name is almost synonymous with the Democratic Party. He could also potentially go against President Joe Biden, as the environmental justice lawyer-turned-politician has proven himself to be an effective fundraiser in the race.
“He speaks a lot of truth, and he’s a very personable human being,” said supporter Mike Sweeney from Albany, adding that Kennedy can topple Biden “one hundred percent. We wouldn’t be here otherwise. People have eyes, and things are so far off the rails that I think just being real is going to be the thing that gets through.”
“I think he should stick to doing podcasts. Don’t go on any mainstream networks. I think he should keep with the strategy he’s going with,” said Matt Burgess from Massachusetts. “I think he can win.”
