RFK Jr.’s sister Rory raises concerns presidential run could bolster Trump in November

Rory Kennedy is raising concerns that her brother’s long-shot presidential bid could torpedo President Biden’s reelection chances and put Republican Donald Trump back in the White House.

Kennedy family members have started ramping up efforts to put a check on Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in the name of protecting the family’s Democratic political dynasty and preventing Mr. Trump from winning the election.

“I think this election is going to happen in a handful of states, and the votes are going to be very small in terms of what is going to elect the next president of the United States. And so siphoning votes [away from] Biden could most definitely lead to Trump’s election,” Ms. Kennedy, a documentary filmmaker and the youngest daughter of the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, said Monday on MSNBC.

But Mr. Kennedy, a 70-year-old environmental lawyer who has attracted the most attention so far for his skeptical attitude on vaccines, has shown no signs of pulling the plug on his third-party bid for the White House.

Dismissing concerns he could play the role of spoiler, Mr. Kennedy has qualified for the ballot in some states and plans to add to the list over the coming months. He plans to announce his vice presidential pick Tuesday.

NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers, former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura, and businesswoman Nicole Shanahan have been tossed around as possibilities.

Analysts are divided on how he could affect the race, but the Biden camp has shown signs of concern that he will cost the president more votes than Mr. Trump.

The Democratic National Committee has created a team focused on taking some wind out of the sails of independent and third-party contenders.

The new unit is keeping a close eye on Mr. Kennedy when it comes to his push to be on the ballot in battleground states.

“Our goals here are twofold,” said DNC spokesperson Matt Corridoni. “One is to make sure people are playing by the rules and two to educate people about RFK.

“He is being propped up by MAGA donors to be a spoiler this election, his family doesn’t support him and he has a lot of extreme policies,” he said.

Democrats have highlighted how one of the biggest backers of the pro-Kennedy super PAC American Values 2024 is billionaire Tim Mellon, who has donated millions to a pro-Trump super PAC and conservative causes.

Democrats also filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission last month accusing Mr. Kennedy of breaking the rules to get on the ballot by coordinating with the super PAC.

Meanwhile, most of Mr. Kennedy’s family have rallied behind Mr. Biden’s reelection campaign. Dozens of Kennedy family members appeared at the White House on St. Patrick’s Day and posed for a picture with Mr. Biden, sending a symbolic message to RFK Jr. that he is on his own this election cycle.