Next Year's Presidential Election: Kennedy Family Declares Support for Biden Instead of Relatives

"Love it but running is unfortunate and tragic"
Kennedy former president's nephew announces candidacy on 19th

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (69), nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, is expected to soon announce his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election, while the Kennedy family has expressed support for U.S. President Joe Biden.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., nephew of former President John F. Kennedy and son of former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy [Photo by AP Yonhap News]

On the 16th (local time), CNN reported that the Kennedy family is likely to back President Biden instead of Robert Jr. in next year's presidential election. Robert Jr. is scheduled to officially announce his candidacy on the 19th in Boston. However, most members of the Kennedy family are belittling Robert Jr.'s run as "meaningless."

Robert Jr. is the son of Robert Kennedy, former U.S. Attorney General and brother of President John F. Kennedy. He was a leading figure in the anti-vaccine movement during the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, he co-founded an environmental law firm and established himself as an environmental activist by leading efforts to improve water quality in New York's Hudson River.

An anonymous source familiar with the Kennedy family told CNN, "They are angry about being placed in this situation," adding, "They want to support their family, but it is an impossible situation." Robert Jr.'s siblings unanimously said, "We love him, but his candidacy is unfortunate and tragic." Robert Jr.'s father, Robert Kennedy, left behind seven sons and four daughters.

Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, the eldest daughter and former Maryland lieutenant governor, said regarding her brother's candidacy, "It is better not to respond." She has publicly expressed support for President Biden. Earlier, in 2019, Kathleen criticized Robert Jr.'s anti-vaccine activism in an article for the political media outlet Politico.

Chris Kennedy, the fifth son, sarcastically responded to questions about his brother's candidacy by asking, "Which brother are you talking about?" Mary Kerry Kennedy, the third daughter who leads the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Foundation, also distanced herself from her brother, emphasizing, "His views have not been reflected in or influenced our foundation."

Film director Lori Kennedy (left) and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

The youngest sibling, film director Rory Kennedy, has also publicly expressed support for Biden. He told CNN, "I respect my brother as an environmental activist, but considering the broader context, I support President Biden."

The reactions from other members of the Kennedy family are not much different. Robert Jr.'s nephew Patrick Kennedy also told CNN that he supports President Biden. Regarding this, CNN assessed, "The Kennedy family is wary of the possibility that Robert Jr. might come to represent the family as the number of people who remember and support them continues to decline." CNN also noted that the Kennedy family and President Biden share a bond that goes beyond political relations.

Close Relationship Between the Kennedy Family and Biden

President Biden often quotes former President John F. Kennedy and has praised Robert F. Kennedy as a "hero." When Biden lost his wife and daughter in a 1972 car accident, Edward (Ted) Kennedy, brother of John F. Kennedy and then a fellow congressman, stood by his side and shared his pain.

Robert Jr. told CNN, "For me, it was a difficult decision to put my principles ahead of my affection for President (Biden)." He added, "Some family members agree with me, some do not, but even if we disagree, we love each other."

Despite the difficult situation, Robert Jr. is leveraging his advantage as a member of a prominent political family by planning to announce his candidacy in Boston, where John F. Kennedy's father was born. In his campaign press release, he emphasized that he comes from "the most famous family in American political history," and posted a photo on Twitter wearing a T-shirt bearing the 1960s campaign slogan "Kennedy for President," used when the Kennedy family member was elected president.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.