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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has lately approached the N.F.L. quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the previous Minnesota governor {and professional} wrestler Jesse Ventura about serving as his working mate on an impartial presidential ticket, and each have welcomed the overtures, two folks aware of the discussions mentioned.
Mr. Kennedy confirmed on Tuesday that the 2 males had been on the prime of his listing. It’s not clear if both has been formally provided the submit, nevertheless, and Mr. Kennedy continues to be contemplating a shortlist of potential candidates, the folks aware of the discussions mentioned.
Mr. Kennedy mentioned that he had been talking with Mr. Rodgers “fairly constantly” for the previous month, and that he had been in contact with Mr. Ventura because the former governor launched him at a marketing campaign occasion final month in Arizona.
A consultant for Mr. Rodgers didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark. Mr. Ventura couldn’t instantly be reached for remark.
The involvement of Mr. Rodgers — who is anticipated to begin for the New York Jets this fall, on the peak of marketing campaign season — or of Mr. Ventura may add star energy and impartial zeal to Mr. Kennedy’s outsider bid. Democrats have apprehensive that Mr. Kennedy may siphon votes away from President Biden, tilting an in depth election to former President Donald J. Trump, and Mr. Biden’s allies have been working to dam Mr. Kennedy from the poll throughout the nation.
Mr. Kennedy, 70, an environmental lawyer and scion of a storied Democratic household, has in recent times change into distinguished for his vaccine skepticism and his promotion of conspiracy theories in regards to the federal authorities and public well being equipment. Mr. Rodgers, too, has more and more embraced the function of celeb provocateur and contrarian for his stances on vaccines, public well being and the coronavirus pandemic.
Mr. Kennedy is anticipated to call his working mate within the coming weeks, forward of deadlines in states that require him to have a vice-presidential choose to petition for poll entry. He initially ran for president as a Democrat however introduced in October that he would run as an impartial as an alternative, accusing Democrats of corruptly blocking his problem to Mr. Biden.
In current months, Mr. Kennedy and his camp have approached at the least a half-dozen folks, with various levels of ritual, to gauge their curiosity in serving as his working mate. Except for Mr. Rodgers and Mr. Ventura, he’s mentioned to have spoken with former Consultant Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii; Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky; and Andrew Yang, the previous candidate for president and New York mayor, the 2 folks aware of the discussions mentioned. Puck Information beforehand reported the outreach to Mr. Yang.
Mr. Yang didn’t reply to requests for remark. Mr. Paul’s workplace didn’t reply to a request for remark. Ms. Gabbard couldn’t be reached for remark.
All have turned him down, or their conversations haven’t superior, aside from Mr. Rodgers and Mr. Ventura, the folks aware of the discussions mentioned.
If something might be interpreted as a touch of the place Mr. Kennedy may lean, the area identify kennedyrodgers.com was registered final week utilizing a GoDaddy host.
Mr. Rodgers, 40, is a four-time winner of the N.F.L.’s Most Useful Participant award, main the Inexperienced Bay Packers to a Tremendous Bowl victory in 2011. He’s anticipated to begin for the New York Jets this 12 months, after his debut with the crew final season ended abruptly with a rupture of his left Achilles’ tendon within the opening minutes of the primary sport.
It’s not clear how working for the second-highest workplace within the land would work along with his day job. He mentioned lately that he hoped to play within the N.F.L. for “two or three or 4 extra years.”
It might additionally not be the primary time Mr. Rodgers sought so as to add a facet gig to his soccer profession. In 2021, whereas enjoying for the Packers, he was amongst those that auditioned to be the host of the quiz present “Jeopardy!”
A spokesman for the New York Jets didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark. The crew is owned by Woody Johnson, a distinguished donor to former President Donald J. Trump. Mr. Trump appointed Mr. Johnson to be his ambassador to Britain.
Mr. Rodgers has been outspoken on political and social points in recent times. Final month, in an look on Joe Rogan’s standard podcast, Mr. Rodgers mentioned he had misplaced pals, allies and sponsorships over his public resolution to not get vaccinated.
Mr. Rodgers has promoted his skepticism about Covid vaccines throughout his common visitor spots on the ESPN present hosted by Pat McAfee, a former soccer punter-turned-podcaster. In January, Mr. Rodgers had a spat with the late-night host Jimmy Kimmel when he falsely steered courtroom paperwork would hyperlink Mr. Kimmel with Jeffrey Epstein throughout an look on Mr. McAfee’s present.
Mr. Rodgers was an early backer of Mr. Kennedy’s presidential bid. Final month, Mr. Kennedy shared an image on social media of them climbing collectively.
Mr. Ventura, 72, was well-known within the Nineteen Seventies and ’80s as an expert wrestler often called Jesse “the Physique” Ventura, and he additionally appeared in motion pictures and tv earlier than he entered politics. He was elected governor of Minnesota in 1998 on the Reform Celebration ticket, and served for one time period.
He has since change into a distinguished determine in impartial and third-party politics. He has written a number of books, and now has a Substack, “Die First Then Stop,” along with his son.
In a YouTube interview 4 months in the past, Mr. Ventura mentioned he would think about a suggestion from Mr. Kennedy to serve on his ticket.
Reid J. Epstein and Maggie Haberman contributed reporting. Kitty Bennett and Susan C. Beachy contributed analysis.
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