Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on Tuesday that Nicole Shanahan, a Silicon Valley lawyer, investor, and political newcomer, will be his running mate in his independent presidential campaign.
His team and supporters believe that this decision will bring fresh energy and financial backing to his unlikely bid for the presidency, especially as his campaign prepares for legal battles to get his name on state ballots.
Shanahan, 38, who was previously married to Google co-founder Sergey Brin, has contributed $4.5 million to super PACs supporting Kennedy in the past year. She has also funded research on health and the environment, two key issues in Kennedy’s campaign, despite his controversial views on vaccines and conspiracy theories.
Shanahan emerged as Kennedy’s top choice for vice president recently, after considering NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers and former Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura.
Shanahan has a track record of supporting Democrats, including President Biden’s 2020 campaign. She began backing Kennedy last spring when he was still running as a Democrat, but switched her support when he became an independent candidate in October.
In a recent interview, Shanahan explained that she was initially drawn to Kennedy’s campaign out of excitement and concerns about Biden’s health. She re-engaged with Kennedy’s campaign in January after initially withdrawing her support when he left the Democratic Party.
Shanahan made a significant donation to fund a Super Bowl ad supporting Kennedy and provided creative input for the ad. The ad, inspired by an ad for Kennedy’s uncle, John F. Kennedy, received criticism from other members of the Kennedy family who have distanced themselves from Robert’s campaign.
