In Albany, a lawyer representing Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared before a state appeals court to request reinstatement to New York’s presidential election ballot, despite suspending his campaign. Earlier this month, a state judge removed Kennedy from the ballot for allegedly falsely claiming New York residency on his election petitions, despite residing in California. Kennedy subsequently halted his campaign and endorsed Donald Trump.
Aiming to withdraw his name from close-contested states, Kennedy met a deadline in Maine but urged supporters elsewhere to continue their backing. Despite the suspension, his legal team argues he rightfully identified as a New Yorker by listing a friend’s address in a New York City suburb without intent to deceive.
During a court hearing, Kennedy’s lawyer, Jim Walden, defended the address listing, asserting Kennedy’s identity is unmistakable regardless of residency details. Walden contended that past court rulings found petition addresses valid unless deceptive, emphasizing Kennedy’s prominent political lineage.
A lawsuit, supported by a Democrat-aligned political action committee, questioned Kennedy’s residential claim in Katonah, New York, despite residing in Los Angeles since marrying Cheryl Hines in 2014. Plaintiffs’ attorney, John Quinn, emphasized Kennedy’s obligation to truthfully complete paperwork, stating he had the freedom to live anywhere but not to misrepresent his residence.
A ruling from the appeals court is imminent, following challenges against Kennedy’s petition signatures due to alleged deceptive practices by a contractor in a separate Long Island court case.