On Tuesday, independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Nicole Shanahan as his running mate during a press conference in Oakland, California.
The timing of RFK Jr.'s vice presidential pick comes much earlier in the election year than is typical but is expected to give the third-party candidate a much-needed boost.
Shanahan's wealth and ties to major donors would likely benefit Kennedy as he aims to improve his fundraising efforts.
“RFK Jr hasn't been looking for someone who can step up to lead in a time of crisis, he's been looking for someone who can infuse his campaign with cash as he tries to buy his way onto the ballot to be a spoiler for Donald Trump,” Democratic National Committee spokesperson Matt Corridoni argued in a statement to Fox News.
But Kennedy has denied prioritizing the wealth of a potential running mate's wealth as part of his vetting process.
“I would never choose a vice presidential candidate based on how much money they have,” he emphasized in a recent NewsNation interview.
Shanahan told The New York Times last month that she contributed roughly $4 million to the Kennedy-aligned American Values 2024, to help the super PAC produce and run an ad supporting Kennedy that aired during the Super Bowl.
Potential choices mentioned by RFK Jr.'s campaign included New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura, lawyer and investor Nicole Shanahan and “Dirty Jobs” host Mike Rowe.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.