RFK Jr. allies say they’ll spend over $10M on ballot access
A super political action committee backing the independent presidential candidacy of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is planning to spend $10 million to $15 million to get Kennedy on the ballot in 10 states, a substantial effort that, even if partly successful, could heighten Democratic concerns about his potential to play the role of spoiler in 2024.
The hefty sum underscores the challenge facing Kennedy, an environmental lawyer and prominent purveyor of conspiracy theories, as he pursues his long-shot White House bid. It also shows the substantial financial support he has generated so far.
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The super PAC, American Values 2024, has raised at least $28 million. (The group last disclosed its unofficial fundraising haul in early October, but has not filed official records since mandatory midyear reports with the Federal Election Commission in July, when it had $9.8 million on hand.) The group was planning to announce the strategy Monday, according to a draft announcement reviewed by The New York Times.
The states, which include several battlegrounds, are among the country’s most populous and carry, between them, 210 Electoral College votes — Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Nevada, New York and Texas.
Kennedy’s campaign, as well as efforts from No Labels, the Green Party and other independent candidates, have worried President Joe Biden’s campaign and its Democratic allies. They fear that such campaigns could siphon votes away from Biden and tilt the election toward his likely Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump.
States make their own rules governing ballot access. Independent candidates must navigate a labyrinthine network governing signature collections and financial reporting requirements. The effort is time-consuming and expensive.
Tony Lyons, the super PAC’s co-founder, said the goal was to get Kennedy on the ballot in every state, but that the group was focusing on the 10 states where it expected the most difficulty, particularly in terms of expensive legal challenges. “That’s where we believe we can have the most impact,” he said.
