Politics Desk 22 Feb , 2024 09:57 AM GMT
Super PAC billboards in Michigan distance Kennedy from GOP donor.
Mellon donated to both Kennedy's and Trump's super PACs.
Kennedy focuses on engaging black voters and key Democratic issues.
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. interacts with voters at a voter rally, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
The super PAC supporting Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s independent presidential campaign has unveiled new billboards in Michigan aimed at distancing the candidate from Republican mega donor Tim Mellon. The billboards feature the faces of Kennedy, Mellon, and President Biden, with a message urging Mellon to let the best man win. The move comes in response to efforts by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) to link Kennedy to MAGA Republicans due to Mellon's donations to both Kennedy's super PAC and that of Donald Trump.
New FEC filings reveal that Mellon contributed $5 million each to the super PACs backing Kennedy and Trump last month. As Kennedy garners attention from National Democrats, he is focusing on engaging black voters, a key constituency for the Democratic Party. Kennedy has emphasized his decades-long commitment to economic development, environmental cleanup, and healthcare for minority communities.
Despite early polling indicating interest in Kennedy as an alternative to President Biden, the extent of his threat to the incumbent remains uncertain. The DNC has escalated its efforts to undermine Kennedy's candidacy, filing a complaint with the FEC alleging illegal coordination between Kennedy's campaign and the supporting super PAC. The complaint was prompted by a $7 million Super Bowl ad that repurposed a spot from John F. Kennedy's 1960 campaign.
While some members of Kennedy's family expressed discomfort with the ad, black voters like Aaron Freeman are considering Kennedy as a viable option. Freeman, a longtime Democrat, is drawn to Kennedy's advocacy for the underprivileged and economic policies. However, other black voters remain cautious, emphasizing the need for tangible results over rhetoric.
As an independent candidate, Kennedy is currently slated to appear on the November ballot in Utah only, with efforts underway to secure ballot access in other states. Democrats are highlighting their achievements in black business ownership and poverty reduction as they seek to maintain support within the black community.
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