Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who had initially gathered enough signatures to be listed as a choice for voters, has decided to withdraw from appearing on the ballots in Arizona. The Arizona Secretary of State, Adrian Fontes, confirmed the withdrawal on August 22. Kennedy, along with his running mate Nicole Shanahan, submitted official paperwork for voluntary withdrawal along with eleven presidential electors.
This decision came shortly after Fontes had certified Kennedy’s eligibility to appear on the ballot, as he had submitted 118,752 signatures, surpassing the required 42,303. Despite this withdrawal, Kennedy’s website still indicates that he is on the Arizona ballot as of August 23.
Kennedy, the son of late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, had initially launched his campaign as a Democrat but later shifted to an independent stance after facing obstacles from the Democratic party. Democrats had attempted to keep him off ballots in various states through legal challenges.
Kennedy was involved in a trial in New York regarding his residency status, which led to his removal from the New York ballot. Despite these challenges, Kennedy expressed confidence in being on the ballot in all 50 states.
In addition to withdrawing from Arizona, Kennedy is set to make a national address about the current historical moment and his future plans. There has been speculation that he may form a new party or align with former President Donald Trump.
While Kennedy did not confirm or deny rumors of dropping out of the race, Trump expressed respect for him and stated that he would be honored by Kennedy’s endorsement. Kennedy’s campaign did not provide a comment on these developments.
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