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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently approached NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers and former Minnesota governor and professional wrestler Jesse Ventura regarding the possibility of becoming his presidential running mate, according to two individuals familiar with the matter. The sources said that both individuals expressed interest in the opportunity.
On Tuesday, Kennedy confirmed that Rodgers and Ventura were among his top choices for Vice President, saying he has maintained contact “pretty continuously” with Rodgers over the past month and has been in contact with Ventura since the former governor introduced him at a campaign event in Arizona last month.
Kennedy is an environmental lawyer from a notable Democratic family, now running as an Independent, who has emerged as a prominent voice on vaccine choice, and penned a book criticizing Anthony Fauci. Similarly, Rodgers has made waves in sports media particularly for his outspoken views on vaccines, and the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rodgers is the New York Jets quarterback who has been in recovery after suffering a devastating Achilles tendon rupture during the season-opener in September. Before missing last season due to injury, Rodgers earned four NFL MVP awards and a Super Bowl ring with the Green Bay Packers. Rodgers is under a $75 million contract through 2025 and has been anticipated to be healthy enough to return to play in the fall, where he stands to make a guaranteed $35 million. Rodgers said recently that he hopes to play “two or three or four more years” in the NFL.
Kennedy has explored other potential running mates, including former Democrat Representative Tulsi Gabbard (also now who Independent), Republican Senator Rand Paul, and former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang. However, discussions with these individuals have not progressed, leaving Rodgers and Ventura as leading contenders for the position.
As speculation continues, the registration of the domain name kennedyrodgers.com last week hints at a potential alignment between Kennedy and Rodgers. Rodgers also spoke of his admiration for Kennedy on a recent episode of Joe Rogan’s podcast.
Last week, Rodgers reposted a Kennedy campaign video with the caption, “This is presidential.”
Some polls suggest that Kennedy’s Independent bid for the presidency is pulling roughly equal numbers of votes away from both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Other polls have produced conflicting results, leaving an unclear picture for the major parties, but Democrats are notably more concerned about Kennedy’s candidacy possibly benefiting Trump in a close election.
Kennedy said in an interview last month that he would likely name his VP pick “within the next 30 days,” although that self-imposed deadline passed in early March with no announcement.
A spokesperson for the Kennedy campaign said on Tuesday:
He’s considering Aaron Rodgers and Jesse Ventura as running mates along with others on a short list. No other details available.
Anticipation grows as Kennedy’s choice of running mate could significantly impact the dynamics of the presidential race.
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