Nicole Shanahan, Wealthy Lawyer, Is R.F.K. Jr.’s Vice-Presidential Pick

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Tuesday named Nicole Shanahan, a Silicon Valley lawyer, investor and political neophyte, as his running mate in his independent presidential bid.

His advisers and backers hope the move will inject new energy — as well as financial support — into his long-shot bid for the White House, as his campaign gears up for months of legal battles to place his name on state ballots.

“I found exactly the right person,” Mr. Kennedy said at a rally in Oakland, Calif., announcing his choice. Praising Ms. Shanahan as a “gifted administrator” and a “fierce warrior mom” with experience navigating issues of artificial intelligence, he described her as “the daughter ofimmigrants who overcame every daunting obstacle and went on to achieve the highest levels of the American dream.”

Taking the stage more than a half-hour after Mr. Kennedy announced his choice, Ms. Shanahan echoed many of the themes of his campaign, including skepticism of vaccines and public health authorities, calls for a cleaner environment and the elimination of pesticides and genetically modified foods.

“The very failure of both parties to do their job, to protect their founding values, has contributed to the decline of this country in my lifetime,” said Ms. Shanahan. “Maybe that’s why I see so many Republicans disillusioned with their party as I become disillusioned with mine. If you are one of those disillusioned Republicans, I welcome you to join me, a disillusioned Democrat, in this movement to unify and heal America.”

Ms. Shanahan, 38, who was formerly married to the Google co-founder Sergey Brin, has given $4.5 million to super PACs backing Mr. Kennedy over the past year, including a $4 million donation helping to pay for a Super Bowl ad