RFK Jr. running mate Shanahan: Decision on joining forces with Trump not ‘easy’

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s running mate gave new insight into the precarious position their long-shot bid for the White House faces just three months out from the election, saying in an interview that deciding whether to stay in the race isn’t easy.

“We don’t want to be a spoiler. We wanted to win. We wanted a fair shot,” political newcomer Nicole Shanahan, 38, said in an Impact Theory podcast interview released Tuesday.

Kennedy’s campaign has been dubbed a potential spoiler in the November election, as his name on the ballot could pull votes from both Democrats and Republicans.

According to The Hill/Decision Desk HQ’s polling tracker, Vice President Harris has about a 4-percentage-point lead over former President Trump, 47.9 percent to 43.8 percent, while Kennedy is polling at about 3 percent.

If Kennedy is removed, creating a head-to-head battle for Harris and Trump, Harris has a smaller polling lead of about 3 percent in The Hill/DDHQ average.

Shanahan strongly implied the Kennedy campaign could come to an end soon in order to team up with Trump.

“We are taking a very serious look at making sure that the people that have corrupted our fair and free democracy do not end up in office in November,” she said.

“There’s two options that we’re looking at and one is staying in: forming [a new political party], but we run the risk of a Kamala Harris and [Harris running mate Tim] Walz presidency, because we draw votes from Trump.

“Or we walk away right now and join forces with Donald Trump and we explain to our base why we are making this decision.”

She said their current ballot access is beneficial because it creates a path for a future third party.

“That’s worth something,” she said. “That means we can position for a real third-party election in 2028.”

“It’s not an easy calculation; we want what’s best for this country first and foremost,” she added.

Trump spoke with Kennedy by phone during the Republican National Committee last month, and a leaked recording of their call revealed Trump courting Kennedy’s support.

“I would love you to do something,” Trump said in the audio clip posted online. “I think it’ll be so good for you and so big for you, and we’re going to win.”

Shanahan said in the podcast interview that she thinks Kennedy, who is known for his strong objections to vaccinations, would be an “excellent” pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services some day.

She also indicated that she has interest in the upcoming California gubernatorial race.

“I would consider running as well,” she said. “I want to be involved in California.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, has been the Golden State’s governor since 2019.

“I really wanted a fair shot at this election,” she said. “That is not where we are today, and it’s not because of the Republican Party taking us out.”

She said the Democratic National Committee has tried to sabotage their efforts through legal and other avenues.