Independent presidential contender Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made headlines by selecting attorney Nicole Shanahan as his running mate.
Kennedy praised Shanahan's advocacy for children's health and AI, positioning them as a fresh alternative for disenchanted voters tired of a Trump-Biden rematch. Speaking in Oakland, Kennedy teased Shanahan's selection, highlighting her shared values, including a passion for healthy, chemical-free foods and regenerative agriculture.
Kennedy emphasized the need for a vice president with strong ideas to counter threats to democracy and freedoms, citing Shanahan's expertise in AI.
He underscored the importance of selecting a young running mate to engage younger voters, a demographic where both he and Shanahan are popular. Shanahan, a 38-year-old lawyer and tech entrepreneur from the Bay Area, was lauded by Kennedy as a brilliant scientist and technologist, fitting for the role of vice president.
Shanahan, in a video introduction, shared her upbringing in poverty in Oakland and her professional journey, including the challenges of discovering her daughter's autism.
Onstage, Shanahan praised Kennedy's character, contrasting it with media portrayals. Attendees like Joseph Piazza and Emery Barter supported Kennedy's choice, noting the generational contrast between the candidates and Shanahan's relevance to key issues.
Kennedy's selection of Shanahan followed a vetting process that considered several high-profile individuals, highlighting his strategic approach to building his campaign team.