Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s campaign manager announced that New York campaign staff member Rita Palma was fired after making statements suggesting that preventing President Joe Biden’s victory was her top priority and encouraging GOP voters to volunteer for former President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania. Palma confirmed her termination and expressed her belief that Kennedy is still the best candidate, calling the focus on her comments a distraction. She stated that she dealt with the campaign honestly and has nothing to defend.
Palma reportedly urged voters to help collect signatures for Kennedy, vote for him in New York, and volunteer for Trump in Pennsylvania in order to block Biden from winning the presidency. She identified herself as the Kennedy campaign’s New York state director and said that her political strategy had been approved by the campaign. Despite this, the Kennedy campaign described her as a “ballot access consultant” and downplayed her role. The Biden campaign has expressed concerns that Kennedy’s candidacy could ultimately benefit Trump in the upcoming election.
While Democrats and Biden allies have been actively combating Kennedy’s campaign, the Trump campaign has largely ignored it. Trump himself has welcomed Kennedy’s candidacy, calling him the most radical left candidate in the race. The Kennedy campaign views obtaining ballot access in New York as a crucial step towards qualifying for the ballot in all 50 states and Washington, DC. Organizers are working in all 62 counties in New York to gather 45,000 valid signatures within a six-week window between April and May.
The Kennedy campaign has designated New York as a priority for ballot access and is working to gather signatures to ensure they can qualify for the ballot in all states. The campaign has expressed optimism about Kennedy’s candidacy and is focusing on gaining support across the country. Despite the dismissal of Rita Palma, the campaign remains committed to its goal of challenging the current political landscape and offering voters an alternative option in the upcoming election. Kennedy and his team are determined to continue their efforts and campaign for change in the months leading up to the election.
