Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has selected a vice presidential nominee and will announce his decision within the next two weeks, he told CNN on Tuesday.
In an interview with CNN, Kennedy said he’s “made up his mind” on his running mate, selected from a shortlist that includes NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers and former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura, whom he said he’s met with recently to discuss the possibility of joining his campaign.
Other names on the shortlist include includes former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Republican Sen. Rand Paul and former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang, a campaign spokesperson said. Kennedy told CNN he also spoke with former television host Mike Rowe, motivational speaker Tony Robbins and Tricia Lindsay, a civil rights attorney.
“We wanted somebody who was aligned with my values, optimistic about our country and its potential and able to run the country at a moment’s notice,” Kennedy said of his running mate selection.
The Washington Post first reported Kennedy has selected his running mate.
Kennedy held a rally in Arizona last month alongside Ventura, who served four years as Minnesota governor as a member of the Reform Party, one of the most successful third-party candidates in recent history. At the rally, Kennedy touted his long relationship with Ventura and called him a “friend.”
“We talk often about areas of mutual interest and I’m really, really grateful for his support during this campaign,” Kennedy said of Ventura last month.
In November, Ventura said in an interview he would “give it serious consideration” if Kennedy asked him to be his running mate, while noting he disagreed with Kennedy’s stance on vaccines.
In February,…
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