According to The New York Times, NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers and former Minnesota governor and professional wrestler Jesse Ventura are among a shortlist of candidates to be Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s running mate.
“Mr. Kennedy confirmed on Tuesday that the two men were at the top of his list,” the outlet wrote.
RFK Jr. reportedly has been speaking with Rodgers “pretty continuously” in recent weeks.
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s short list to be his running mate on an independent presidential ticket in November, the New York Times reported Tuesday.https://t.co/FEVCfEGkXv
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2024
Rodgers spoke about RFK Jr. during his recent appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast.
WATCH:
JUST IN — Bobby Kennedy Jr is talking to Aaron Rodgers about being his presidential running mate.
Rodgers spoke about his admiration for Kennedy on a recent episode of the Joe Rogan Experience. pic.twitter.com/cLdyBQrjqy
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) March 12, 2024
It’s not clear if RFK Jr. has offered the position to anyone.
The independent presidential candidate is expected to announce his running mate in the coming weeks.
🚨Just in: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has chosen his running mate and he plans to announce his pick within 2 weeks ~ WAPO
Who will @RobertKennedyJr pick? pic.twitter.com/u0uFKBCM3l
— The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) March 13, 2024
The New York Times reports:
A representative for Mr. Rodgers did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Mr. Ventura’s son, Tyrel Ventura, said in an email message late Tuesday: “No one has officially asked Gov. Ventura to be a vice-presidential candidate so the governor does not comment on speculation.”
The involvement of Mr. Rodgers — who is expected to start for the New York Jets this fall, at the height of campaign season — or of Mr. Ventura could add star power and independent zeal to Mr. Kennedy’s outsider bid.
Polls show Mr. Kennedy pulling roughly equal numbers of votes away from both President Biden and former President Donald J. Trump — but Democrats are far more worried than Republicans that he could tilt a close election to Mr. Trump. Mr. Biden’s allies have been working to block Mr. Kennedy from the ballot across the country.
Mr. Kennedy, 70, an environmental lawyer and scion of a storied Democratic family, has in recent years become prominent for his vaccine skepticism and his promotion of conspiracy theories about the federal government and public health apparatus. Mr. Rodgers, too, has increasingly embraced the role of celebrity provocateur and contrarian for his stances on vaccines, public health and the coronavirus pandemic.
Aside from Aaron Rodgers and Jesse Ventura, RFK Jr.’s team reportedly has approached the following individuals for the role:
- Tulsi Gabbard
- Rand Paul
- Andrew Yang
“All have turned him down, or their conversations have not advanced, except for Mr. Rodgers and Mr. Ventura, the people familiar with the discussions said,” the outlet wrote.
🚨Just in: Aaron Rodgers is on RFK Jr VP shortlist. Former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura is on the list. RFK has spoken to Andrew Yang, Tulsi Gabbard and Rand Paul. pic.twitter.com/ezdCMgAPZ5
— The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) March 12, 2024
Per NBC News:
Ventura, 72, was elected governor of Minnesota in 1998, becoming the first Reform Party candidate to win statewide office. He served one term and did not seek re-election.
Rodgers, 40, a future Hall of Fame quarterback who has won a Super Bowl title and four MVP awards, is expected to return to the field this year after an injury in the first game of the 2023 season kept him on the sidelines.
Rodgers endorsed Kennedy, 70, last year after the two bonded over their opposition to Covid vaccines. On Tuesday afternoon, Rodgers reposted Kennedy’s response to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address on X, saying, “This is presidential.”
The Democratic National Committee bashed Kennedy’s shortlist.
“The Three Stooges reunion no one was asking for. It’s no surprise this is the shortlist considering the conspiracy theorist doing the choosing,” Democratic National Committee senior adviser Mary Beth Cahill said in a statement.
Kennedy ended his presidential campaign as a Democrat last year and launched an independent bid after having struggled to build support from the Democratic base.