Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s entry into the presidential race as a third-party candidate made a significant splash in the public sphere last week, thanks to a Super Bowl advertisement funded by a prominent Democratic contributor.
The emergence of Kennedy’s campaign has the potential to disrupt the traditional dominance of either major party in the upcoming November elections.
However, it has also stirred controversy, drawing criticism from Democrats, Kennedy’s relatives, and others who perceive his candidacy as leveraging his family name while posing risks to public health.
Robert F. Kennedy, RFK Jr. (Credits: WHO13.com)
The Super Bowl ad, which reached a record-breaking audience of 123 million viewers, was financed by Nicole Shanahan, an environmental lawyer and the former spouse of Sergey Brin, the co-founder of Google.
Shanahan disclosed that she contributed over half of the $7 million cost for the commercial, with her donation totaling approximately $4 million. Despite remaining a registered Democrat herself, Shanahan clarified that her intention was solely to assist in funding the advertisement.
Shanahan explained her decision-making process, mentioning that she had been monitoring Kennedy’s polling numbers leading up to the Super Bowl.
Encouraged by the favorable poll results, she made the decision to proceed with funding the commercial, expressing surprise at the positive reception Kennedy’s campaign had garnered at such an early stage.
“I was kind of waiting to see how he was polling that week before the Super Bowl,” Shanahan elaborated. “A few polls came out and they were better than I thought in my wildest imagination this early in the game. Then I said, ‘All right, let’s do it!'”
Kennedy’s sudden emergence onto the political stage, coupled with the financial backing of prominent figures like Shanahan, underscores the potential for a shift in the dynamics of the upcoming presidential race.
However, the controversy surrounding his candidacy suggests that his campaign is likely to face significant scrutiny and opposition as the election season progresses.
