Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s unexpected choice to halt his campaign and back former President Trump is stirring speculation about its potential impact on critical battleground states.
Republican analysts believe that Kennedy’s endorsement could boost Trump’s support in areas where he is slightly trailing Vice President Harris. Although Harris’s supporters don’t foresee Kennedy making a substantial difference for Trump, they are maintaining their defensive strategies against his new alliance.
Republicans view Kennedy as a valuable surrogate for Trump, despite his controversial stances on environmental issues and vaccines
Kennedy’s transition to supporting Trump, despite his previous third-party run, has energized his base and sparked optimism among his new allies. “Trump is likely to gain momentum from this,” a source close to Kennedy remarked. “Bobby’s grassroots network is robust and enthusiastic.”
Kennedy’s departure from the race in pivotal states, where he had been a potential disruptor for Trump, comes after a purported agreement between the two campaigns. Kennedy has urged his supporters to vote for him where his name remains on the ballot, signaling his withdrawal from competitive states and a shift towards assisting Trump’s campaign.
During his exit announcement in Phoenix, Kennedy conceded that he no longer saw a viable path to victory, describing his decision as a strategic concession. A source familiar with his strategy confirmed that Kennedy aimed to abandon swing states to support Trump, having engaged with him multiple times recently.
Kennedy also speculated that other Democrats might similarly support Trump, predicting a series of endorsements from former rivals. This prediction follows recent Republican appeals for party members to vote against Trump.
Republicans welcome Kennedy’s support, viewing him as a valuable surrogate despite his controversial stances on environmental issues and vaccine skepticism. Strategist Ron Bonjean acknowledged that Kennedy’s impact on the race could be outstanding, emphasizing the importance of every vote.
Initially, Kennedy’s independent run posed a threat to Biden, but recent polls suggest that with Harris as the Democratic nominee, Kennedy’s support has dwindled. While Trump held a narrow lead over Biden and Kennedy earlier in the year, Harris now leads in a three-way race with Kennedy’s support at under 3 percent.
Republicans are hopeful that Kennedy’s support will be most impactful in the Sunbelt and Pennsylvania, crucial for Trump to secure the necessary electoral votes. Internal polling indicates that Kennedy’s backing might benefit Trump in several key states.
However, some GOP members are cautious, noting that Kennedy’s support has been declining. “It’s beneficial in the short term, but its long-term impact remains uncertain,” said strategist Brian Seitchik.
Democrats, in response, are focusing on discrediting Kennedy’s new alignment with Trump, linking it to his previous criticisms of the former president. They are also highlighting rumors of Kennedy seeking a government position in exchange for his endorsement.
Despite these attacks, Democratic strategist Michael Ceraso remains skeptical of Kennedy’s electoral influence. He cautions that while Kennedy’s endorsement might temporarily stir interest, it is unlikely to alter the race’s dynamics.
