Robert F. Kennedy Jr. affirmed his intention to move back to New York, despite facing scrutiny over his residency status in the state. A lawsuit filed on behalf of various voters alleges that Kennedy listed a residence in Katonah, New York on his petition while living in Los Angeles since 2014. Kennedy defended Katonah as his home address, stating his move to California in 2014 was temporary to be with his wife, Cheryl Hines, and he always planned to return to New York.
During a court hearing in Albany, Kennedy faced tough questioning about his residency intentions. When asked if moving to California with his family indicated his desire to reside there, Kennedy avoided a direct answer, emphasizing his intent to return to New York as sufficient for establishing residency. Kennedy explained that his move to California was motivated by love for his wife and a plan to eventually return to New York, where he had built his life over the years.
The residency issue was intensified by discrepancies in documentation, with Kennedy admitting an error in the timing of updating his driver’s license address. Kennedy’s lawyer addressed doubts about his residency by emphasizing his long-standing ties to New York, where he has lived for 50 years. The lawsuit challenging Kennedy’s New York ballot access is supported by Clear Choice PAC, a super PAC associated with Democratic President Joe Biden, with the case set to be determined by a judge.
Despite challenges in various states, Kennedy’s campaign is advancing with enough signatures to qualify in 42 states. Though independent presidential candidates face significant hurdles, Kennedy’s recognizable name and loyal following could potentially make him a more competitive candidate than others in recent history. Both Democratic and Republican strategists are watching closely, concerned about the potential impact Kennedy could have on their respective candidates’ chances in the upcoming election.
