The Kennedy family, known for its long history in American politics, is set to announce a major endorsement in the 2024 presidential race that is expected to be a snub of one of their own family members, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. More than a dozen family members will reportedly endorse President Biden over RFK Jr., who is running as an independent candidate and causing concern among Democrats that his candidacy could lead to a victory for former President Donald Trump. The family members, including Kerry Kennedy, will cite Biden’s support for the values their father and uncles stood for as the reason for their endorsement.
The announcement of the Kennedy family’s endorsement of Biden is seen as a significant blow to RFK Jr.’s campaign, as it is the latest in a series of rebukes from his family members. Last October, they described his candidacy as “perilous for our country” after he decided to run independently. The family has also criticized his past comments, including suggestions that the COVID-19 pandemic was engineered to target certain ethnic groups. The Democratic National Committee has launched an effort to combat the threat to Biden’s re-election posed by third-party candidates like Kennedy, with a team actively working to challenge and oppose them on legal grounds.
The DNC’s team has been critical of RFK Jr., labeling him as a “spoiler” candidate and alleging that he is working with Trump to help him win. They pointed to a video showing a woman associated with Kennedy’s campaign discussing strategy and suggesting that having him on the ballot could help Trump win New York. The woman stated that with Kennedy in the mix, anything could happen, implying that Trump could potentially win the state. This accusation has further fueled concerns among Democrats that RFK Jr.’s candidacy could have unintended consequences in the 2024 election.
President Biden, who is expected to receive the Kennedy family’s endorsement, will be introduced by former Rep. Joe Kennedy III, who currently serves as Biden’s special envoy to Northern Ireland. Following the endorsement event, family members will join the Biden campaign in Pennsylvania to make calls and knock on doors in support of the campaign. The state is a key battleground in presidential elections and efforts to mobilize support there could play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the election. RFK Jr.’s decision to run independently has created a division within the Kennedy family, with some choosing to support Biden instead.
Overall, the Kennedy family’s endorsement of President Biden in the 2024 presidential race is expected to have significant implications for RFK Jr.’s independent campaign. With concerns about the impact of his candidacy, particularly in swing states like Pennsylvania, where family members will be actively campaigning for Biden, the dynamics of the election have been shifted. The ongoing conflict within the Kennedy family over the decision to endorse Biden over one of their own underscores the complexities of political relationships and allegiances in American politics.
