In a significant victory for President Donald Trump’s campaign, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will no longer be on the ballot in Michigan and North Carolina after appellate court rulings on Friday. Kennedy had sought to withdraw his candidacy following his endorsement of Trump in late August, aiming to ensure his presence would not split the vote in favor of Vice President Kamala Harris.
The legal battle began when Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s office attempted to keep Kennedy on the ballot despite his withdrawal. Benson, a Democrat, claimed it was too late for Kennedy to remove himself, leading to concerns that his continued presence could harm Trump’s chances in the crucial battleground state. However, Friday’s court ruling has overturned this decision, siding with Kennedy’s request.
Kennedy’s removal from the ballot in Michigan and North Carolina follows similar efforts in ten other states, with Democrats opposing his withdrawal at every turn. Political commentators have noted that keeping Kennedy on the ballot could have siphoned votes from Trump, potentially leading to a victory for Harris.
Benson’s office, represented by press secretary Cheri Hardmon, initially argued that Kennedy’s name should remain on the ballot due to his nomination by the Natural Law Party earlier this year. However, the appellate court’s decision has effectively blocked that attempt, dealing a blow to Democrats’ strategy.
With Kennedy off the ballot, Trump’s path to victory in key states like Michigan becomes clearer, though the battle continues in other states like Wisconsin, where Kennedy is still fighting to have his name removed.
