Aaron Rodgers And Jesse Ventura Are On Robert Kennedy Jr.’s VP Shortlist — Report

Robert Kennedy Jr. confirmed to The New York Times that NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers and former Minnesota governor and professional wrestler Jesse Ventura were on the top of his shortlist to serve as his running mate in his independent presidential bid.

Rodgers, who shares Kennedy’s opposition to the covid vaccine, would be an unconventional choice, to say the least, as he is still an active NFL player, expected to start for the New York Jets this fall.

Ventura, who served one term as Minnesota governor, has in the past considered his own independent presidential bid. Since leaving office, he has hosted a reality television series focused on conspiracy theories, but he urged people to get the vaccine during the covid crisis, and even bemoaned those who did not wear masks. He introduced Kennedy at a voter rally in Arizona last month.

“We must end the duopoly of Republican and Democrat control in Washington,” Ventura wrote on X/Twitter last month. “Electing a third party or independent candidate for President would be a major kickstart to that process but in order to do that you have to have ballot access.”

In his remarks at the Arizona rally, Ventura said that had Kennedy’s uncle, President John F. Kennedy, and his father, Robert Kennedy, lived, “there would have been no Vietnam. There would have been no cold war. We’d be friends with Cuba. This world — you wouldn’t recognize it today.”

“I always say Jack Kennedy was the greatest president of all in my lifetime,” he said. “And the reason I say that is because they let him serve the least amount. He didn’t even get one term. That’s why he’s the best, because they couldn’t let him go past, not even one term. Well, maybe it’s time to elect another Kennedy.”

Last week, when Kennedy posted his own State of the Union statement on X/Twitter, Rodgers wrote, “This is presidential.”

Although all three figures have the advantage of celebrity status, the challenge of an independent bid is in securing access to the ballot in all 50 states. According to the campaign, they have completed petitions in four states — Nevada, Utah, New Hampshire and Hawaii.

The last independent candidacy to draw more than 10% of the vote was Ross Perot, who garnered almost 19% in 1992 but no electoral votes. It’s unclear whether Donald Trump or Joe Biden would lose more support with Kennedy’s candidacy, but it could be a factor if the race is close.