RFK Jr’s running mate Nicole Shanahan just boosted campaign with $8m donation

Robert F Kennedy Jr’s running mate Nicole Shanahan announced that she would pump an additional $8m into the campaign as they seek to get on the ballot in more states, The New York Times reported.

Ms Shanahan made her announcement during a comedy show fundraiser at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. The announcement brings Ms Shanahan’s total contribution level to the Kennedy campaign to $10m. She also contributed $4m to a super PAC to pay for a television ad that aired during the Super Bowl.

“I think I know what they’re going to say – they’re going to say Bobby only picked me for my money,” Ms Shanahan said. The event featured Russell Brand as well as former Saturday Night Live cast members Rob Schneider and Jim Breuer.

“This isn’t just about funding our own campaign,” she said in a press release, according to Politico. “We want to liberate presidential elections from the grip of the existing two-party duopoly, and revitalise American democracy.”

Mr Kennedy, the son of the late Democratic attorney general and senator, is seeking to win ballot access in all 50 states since he announced he would not challenge President Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination, but would instead launch an independent bid for president. The Democratic Party and other allies have sought to challenge the Kennedy campaign since many consider Mr Kennedy’s bid to be a spoiler effort.

In March, Mr Kennedy announced Ms Shanahan as his running mate after much speculation about whom he would pick. Previously, she had given to Democrats such as Representative Ro Khanna, Hillary Clinton and Mr Biden.

The ex-wife of Google co-founder Sergey Brin, Ms Shanahan has also amassed a significant fortune after she sold her patent technology company.