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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently approached NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers and former Minnesota governor and professional wrestler Jesse Ventura about running as running mates on his independent presidential nomination. Both sides welcome the offer, two people familiar with the discussions said. .
Kennedy acknowledged Tuesday that the two are at the top of his list. However, it is unclear whether either of them has been formally offered the position, and Mr Kennedy is still reviewing his shortlist of candidates. said people familiar with the discussions.
Kennedy said he has spoken to Rogers “quite continuously” and has remained in touch with Ventura since the former governor introduced him at a campaign event in Arizona last month. Ta.
A representative for Mr. Rogers did not respond to a request for comment. “No one has formally asked Governor Ventura to be his running mate, so the governor does not comment on speculation,” Ventura’s son, Tyrell Ventura, said in an email message late Tuesday.
The involvement of Mr. Rodgers (who is expected to start for the New York Jets this fall, in the midst of election season) and Mr. Ventura could add star quality and independent fervor to Mr. Kennedy’s outsider bid.
Opinion polls show Mr. Kennedy trailing both President Biden and former President Donald J. Trump by roughly the same number of votes, but Democrats believe that Mr. Kennedy is more likely than Republicans to tilt a close election to Mr. Trump. Much more concerned. Biden allies are working across the country to block Kennedy from voting.
Mr. Kennedy, 70, an environmental lawyer and the scion of a prominent Democratic family, has gained prominence in recent years for promoting vaccine skepticism and conspiracy theories about the federal government and public health apparatus. Mr. Rogers, too, has increasingly embraced the role of celebrity provocateur and contrarian, citing his stance on vaccines, public health and the coronavirus pandemic.
Kennedy is expected to name a running mate in the coming weeks ahead of state deadlines for selecting a running mate to petition for ballot access. He initially ran for president as a Democrat, but announced in October that he would run as an independent, accusing Democrats of fraudulently blocking his challenge to Biden.
In recent months, Mr. Kennedy and his campaign have reached out to at least six people in varying degrees of formality to gauge interest in the vice presidential role. In addition to Mr. Rogers and Mr. Ventura, he is also said to have met with former Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky. Andrew Yang, a former presidential candidate and New York City mayor, said two people familiar with the discussions. Pac News previously reported on support efforts for Mr. Yang.
Yang did not respond to requests for comment. Paul’s office did not respond to requests for comment. Gabbard could not be reached for comment.
All but Mr. Rogers and Mr. Ventura have either turned him down or are not in talks, according to people familiar with the discussions.
If there’s any indication of Mr. Kennedy’s leanings, the domain name kennedyrodgers.com was registered last week using GoDaddy hosting.
Rodgers, 40, is a four-time NFL Most Valuable Player and led the Green Bay Packers to a Super Bowl victory in 2011. He is expected to start for the New York Jets this year after debuting with them in 2011. Last season’s team ended abruptly due to a rupture of his left Achilles tendon in the opening minutes of the first game.
It’s unclear how running for the country’s second-highest office will fit into his day job. He recently said he wants to play “two, three, four more years” in the NFL.
This isn’t the first time Rodgers has tried to add a side hustle to his football career. In 2021, while he was playing for the Packers, he was one of those who auditioned to host the quiz show “Jeopardy!”
A New York Jets spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. The team is owned by Woody Johnson, a prominent donor to former President Donald J. Trump. Mr. Trump appointed Mr. Johnson as ambassador to the United Kingdom.
Mr. Rogers has been outspoken on political and social issues in recent years. Appearing on Joe Rogan’s popular podcast last month, Rodgers said his public decision not to get vaccinated has cost him friends, allies and sponsors.
Rodgers has promoted his skepticism about coronavirus vaccines during his regular guest appearances on ESPN’s show hosted by former football player-turned-podcaster Pat McAfee. While appearing on McAfee’s show in January, Mr. Rodgers got into an argument with late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, who falsely suggested that court documents linked Mr. Kimmel to Jeffrey Epstein.
Mr. Rogers is Early supporters Kennedy’s candidacy for president. Last month, Kennedy said: photograph Pictures of them hiking together have been posted on social media.
Mr. Ventura, 72, was famous in the 1970s and 1980s as a professional wrestler known as Jesse “The Body” Ventura, and appeared in movies and television before entering politics. He was elected Governor of Minnesota by the Reform Party in 1998 and served one term.
Since then, he has become a prominent figure in independent and third party politics. He has written several books and currently owns a Substack called “Die First then Quit” with his son.
Ventura said in a YouTube interview four months ago that he would consider an offer from Kennedy.
Reid J. Epstein and Maggie Haberman Contributed to the report. kitty bennett and Susan C. Beachy Contributed to research.
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