PHILADELPHIA (NewsNation) — President Joe Biden netted a big endorsement Thursday from the family of one of his 2024 rivals: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as more than a dozen members of the Kennedy family joined Biden on stage in Philadelphia.
Kerry Kennedy, a daughter of former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, niece of former President John F. Kennedy and sister of the current presidential candidate, delivered the endorsements.
The decision to highlight the Kennedy family’s support more than six months away from Election Day may be an indication of how seriously Biden’s team is taking the threat of a long-shot candidate.
Kennedy Jr. played down the endorsements, writing on social media that his family was “divided in our opinions but united in our love for each other.” He said his campaign was about “healing America.”
Given Kennedy Jr.’s unconventional political positions and the expectation this year’s campaign will be decided by thin margins, both Democrats and Republicans worry that he could play the role of spoiler.
Kennedy Jr., however, notched his own victory Thursday as his campaign announced he’s qualified as a 2024 presidential candidate in the battleground state of Michigan.
Kennedy is backed by the Natural Law Party in Michigan, which worked to collect signatures and file paperwork to support his independent White House bid.
Michigan is arguably the most important state Kennedy has qualified for so far, with a little over six months to go until Election Day. He has earned enough support to appear in places like New Hampshire and Nevada, also considered battleground states, but the addition of Michigan makes Kennedy’s effort more serious.
Kennedy’s camp hopes to gather signatures across 50 states before their deadlines, but experts say he only needs a few key battlegrounds to potentially change the outcome on Election Day.
The Associated Press and NewsNation affiliate The Hill contributed to this report.
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