The Court Case That Could Derail RFK Jr.’s Campaign
Albany, New York —Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. found himself in a firestorm this week as he battles a legal dispute that could substantially affect his campaign. The contention? His residency. A group of voters in New York State, backed by Clear Choice PAC, a political action committee established by allies of President Joseph Biden earlier this year, contest Kennedy’s position on the state’s presidential ballot, arguing that he inaccurately declared his residence on nominating petitions required for ballot access.
The Details of the Case
The plaintiffs maintain that Kennedy has been residing in California in recent years with his wife, Cheryl Hines, the actress known for her role in HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm”. Contrarily, Kennedy insists that he is a New Yorker “to the marrow” and has listed his official residence as a room in a friend’s house in Katonah, New York. His campaign argues that any attempt by New York to restrict candidates beyond the U.S. Constitutional standard of residence being the state to which you intend to return would be unconstitutional.
While being eliminated from New York State’s ballot could be embarrassing for Kennedy, it might not have a considerable impact on the overall presidential race. However, strategists for Clear Choice PAC argue that at least 18 states where Kennedy is on the ballot could be susceptible to similar challenges should he lose this case.
Navigating the Legal Waters
Disclaimers from both sides are riddled with technical legal arguments about residency. However, if Kennedy loses the case, he could likely correct his filings in some states. The case could also potentially lead to a predicament with the Constitution: if a presidential and Vice Presidential candidate are from the same state, they cannot claim that state’s Electoral College votes. Given that his running mate, Nicole Shanahan, a millionaire (or billionaire) from Silicon Valley, is also from California, RFK Jr. could face a major issue theory he astonishes an unexpected win in the Golden State.
As proceedings are anticipated to wrap up this week, the losing side will likely appeal. A date for a potential appeals court trial is already scheduled. With ballots set to be printed in New York and other states soon, time is running short to resolve the matter satisfactorily.
The Bigger Picture
The Clear Choice PAC was organized with the idea that RFK Jr. could potentially enfeeble the democratic ticket by drawing votes from Biden than Trump—though the certainty of this was unclear. More recent surveys suggest he might now be pulling more Trump-leaning votes than possible votes for Kamala Harris. Yet, despite these potential shifts, Clear Choice PAC is tenaciously pursuing the New York challenge and preparing to push forward in other states if they win the case in Albany.
A longtime associate of Kennedy proposes that Kennedy, whose father was a senator representing New York, has never wanted to sever his ties to the state, possibly for future runs for office. The irony, of course, as it stands now, his ongoing desire to maintain his connections to the Empire State might lead to his elimination from the ballot in New York and potentially, other states as well.
