Oakland, California – Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is set to unveil his choice for vice president on Tuesday. Kennedy has selected Nicole Shanahan, a prominent attorney and entrepreneur from the San Francisco Bay Area, to join his campaign, according to sources familiar with the campaign’s plans.
Shanahan, who has never held elected office, has been a supporter of Kennedy’s campaign, having contributed financially to both his campaign and his super PAC. The announcement event is scheduled to take place in Oakland, California.
Kennedy’s decision to choose Shanahan comes at a crucial moment in his campaign. Independent presidential candidates face various challenges in getting on the ballot in each state, with the need to gather thousands of petition signatures. In over half of states, independents must file their nominating papers with a named running mate, with approaching deadlines.
During the vice presidential selection process, Kennedy considered several potential candidates, including prominent figures like Aaron Rodgers, Jesse Ventura, Tulsi Gabbard, and Mike Rowe. Ultimately, Shanahan, who was involved in producing a high-profile Super Bowl ad supporting Kennedy in February, was chosen as the running mate.
Shanahan’s background as a tech lawyer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist in California has been intertwined with the tech industry’s biggest players. She founded ClearAccessIP, utilizing AI technology to assist patent holders in managing their intellectual property. Her company was acquired by IPwe in 2020.
The choice of Shanahan as Kennedy’s running mate opens up possibilities for her to directly contribute her wealth to the campaign, rather than an outside group. This could aid in funding critical projects such as obtaining petition signatures for ballot access.
Shanahan’s foundation, the Bia-Echo Foundation, focuses on issues such as reproductive longevity and equality, criminal justice reform, and environmental sustainability. She has a personal connection to autism, funding research into its causes and supporting initiatives for children’s health and the environment, aligning with Kennedy’s advocacy in these areas.
With Kennedy’s history as a vocal anti-vaccine advocate through his organization Children’s Health Defense, Shanahan’s selection as his running mate sparks conversations on their shared views on important health and environmental issues. The campaign’s emphasis on these issues could shape the narrative of Kennedy’s bid for the presidency.