RFK Jr. pulls out of Arizona race amid speculation of Trump partnership

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has withdrawn from the ballot in Arizona just before a planned appearance in the Phoenix area, raising speculations about a possible endorsement of Republican nominee Donald Trump. Kennedy is slated to deliver a speech in Phoenix as Trump holds a rally in neighboring Glendale. Although Trump mentioned they would be in the same city at the same time, he stated that no plans had been finalized for Kennedy to appear with him on Friday. However, Trump’s campaign hinted at a “special guest” joining the Glendale event without confirming if Kennedy would be the guest.

Kennedy’s Arizona withdrawal, following the submission of the required number of signatures, sparked concerns about the validity of some signatures due to potential coordination issues between Kennedy’s campaign and a pro-Kennedy super PAC. Despite the historical ties of the Kennedy family to the Democratic party, recent developments suggest a possible alignment between Kennedy and Trump to prevent a Democratic victory. Discussions and compliments between the two camps have intensified in recent weeks, hinting at a mutual goal of diminishing Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris’s election prospects.

The possibility of Kennedy endorsing Trump has been openly discussed, with Trump expressing his admiration for Kennedy and indicating a willingness to have him play a role in his administration if he drops out of the race. Kennedy’s running mate also suggested the campaign could join forces with Trump, with the idea of Kennedy potentially serving as the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services in a Trump administration discussed openly.

Kennedy’s decision to withdraw comes amid a decline in the momentum of his campaign, which initially attracted anti-establishment and vaccine-skeptic voters. Facing financial challenges and legal hurdles, including a recent ruling barring his ballot appearance in New York, Kennedy’s support in polls has waned. While his continued presence in the race could potentially impact Trump more than Harris, polls suggest that Kennedy’s supporters have a more favorable view of Trump than Harris.

Harris’s campaign has expressed readiness to welcome Kennedy’s voters if he exits the race. Meanwhile, Trump is concluding a series of battleground state visits with a focus on his policy proposals, aiming to divert attention from the Democratic celebration of Harris’s presidential nomination in Chicago. A busy week for Trump includes visits to Pennsylvania, Michigan, North Carolina, and Arizona, with upcoming stops in Las Vegas and Glendale indicating his campaign’s engagement in key electoral states.