RNC slams RFK Jr. over switch to independent: ‘Still a Democrat’

Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel on Monday knocked presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over his switch from a Democratic bid to an independent run.

“Make no mistake — a Democrat in Independent’s clothing is still a Democrat,” McDaniel said in a statement. 

“RFK Jr. cannot hide from his record of endorsing Hillary, supporting the Green New Deal, fighting against the Keystone Pipeline, and praising [Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s (D-N.Y.)] tax hikes — he is your typical elitist liberal and voters won’t be fooled,” McDaniel said.

After campaigning as a Democratic challenger to incumbent President Biden, who is running for reelection, Kennedy switched to declare himself as an independent candidate. 

Kennedy along the campaign trail had called for the Democratic National Committee to host a primary debate for President Biden and his long-shot challengers, and he suggested the process was “rigged” against him.

Kerry Kennedy, the sister of the White House hopeful, shared a statement from his family Monday contending that Kennedy’s decision “to run as a third party candidate against Joe Biden is dangerous to our country,” publicly denouncing her brother’s candidacy.

McDaniel on Monday argued that the party’s GOP nominee “will be the next President of the United States.” 

Kennedy’s swap comes after progressive candidate Cornel West switched from running as a Green Party presidential candidate to launch an independent bid for 2024. He’d initially kicked off his campaign with the People’s Party.