Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Gains Nevada Ballot Access in Presidential Bid

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has secured enough verified signatures to appear on the Nevada ballot, marking a significant milestone in his independent presidential campaign. Despite initial setbacks, including exclusion from a CNN debate and legal challenges from Democratic entities, Kennedy's campaign navigated regulatory hurdles and chose Nicole Shanahan as his running mate.

Nevada election officials have confirmed that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will appear on the Nevada ballot, having verified sufficient signatures to support his campaign. This accomplishment positions Kennedy in a critical battleground state as he aims to disrupt the Republican and Democratic stronghold on U.S. elections.

Gaining traction with a recognizable name and dedicated supporters, Kennedy's potential as an independent candidate has both major parties concerned about its impact on the election outcome. Although he missed qualifying for the CNN debate in June, he held an independent event to parallel the questions posed to key candidates.

Legal hurdles remain, as recent lawsuits challenge his standing on the Nevada ballot. The campaign promptly submitted a new petition with over 22,000 verified signatures after state officials initially nullified his first attempt due to procedural issues, including not listing a running mate. Kennedy has since named California lawyer and philanthropist Nicole Shanahan as his vice presidential pick.

(With inputs from agencies.)