Progressive Anti-Vaxxer Robert F Kennedy Jr. Declares 2024 Candidacy – Does He Have A Shot?

Photo by Felton Davis via Flickr.

Originally published in print on April 18, 2023.

On Apr. 5, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. —  nephew of the 35th President of the United States — became the second Democrat to announce his 2024 election bid to run for president of the United States as a liberal anti-vaxxer. 

According to CNN, RFK Jr. began his political career as an environmental lawyer, advocating in favor of environmental protections; specifically, RFK Jr. founded Waterkeeper Alliance, supporting the preservation of local environmental organizations' bodies of water. Additionally, RFK Jr. was an early advocate for renewable energy in the mid-2000s. 

As stated by Biography, RFK Jr. expressed his environmental advocacy as senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council and by publishing two books along with a variety of other articles on environmental issues that he found important. 

Although RFK Jr. has more progressive views on the environment and most fiscal and social issues, his stance on vaccines is not exactly on par with the Democratic party. 

Since the early 2000s, RFK Jr. has been a major anti-vaccine advocate in the United States. According to the Washington Post, RFK Jr. has made unfounded allegations that vaccines could be linked to autism. 

According to ABC News, RFK Jr. founded a non-profit organization called, ‘Children’s Health Defense,’ known primarily for its anti-vaccine advocacy; during the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization was booted off both Instagram and Facebook for the spread of misinformation. 

Brian Castrucci, president of De Beaumont Foundation —a pro-public health organization — expressed concerns for RFK Jr’s bid. “His campaign would platform a set of dangerous beliefs with the possibility of not only harming the health of the public but the health of our communities and economy as well,” stated Castrucci. 

According to BBC, it is unclear as to whether his family will support his candidacy for president due to his anti-vaccine views. In 2019, his sister, brother, and niece called out his views as “tragically wrong” saying they have the potential for “deadly consequences.” 

“My top priority will be to end the corrupt merger between state and corporate power that has ruined our economy, shattered the middle class, polluted our landscapes and waters, poisoned our children, and robbed us of our values and freedoms,” RFK Jr. stated, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. 

According to a poll conducted by Morning Consult, among 2024 Democratic presidential primary voters approximately one in ten would vote for Robert Kennedy Jr; even though RFK Jr. only recently declared his candidacy, he is polling significantly better than Marianne Williamson, likely due to his family name. 

Although the issue of vaccines does not line up with the Democratic party’s platform, approximately 46% of potential Democratic primary voters still have a favorable opinion on RFK Jr, as stated by Morning Consult.