WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has less than a month to meet the criteria deadline set by CNN to join President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump on the debate stage.
While his numbers aren’t quite there yet, RFK’s campaign team remains hopeful.
“We anticipate fulfilling all participation criteria by June 20th and look forward to offering American voters the three-way debate they deserve,” Amaryllis Fox, campaign director for Kennedy, said on X.
First presidential debate requirements
CNN will host the first presidential debate June 27, and the network announced certain criteria candidates must meet in order to get on stage. Each must appear on enough state ballots to reach 270 electoral votes and receive at least 15% support in four national polls.
Kennedy claimed Tuesday that he met the signature requirement to qualify for the ballot in New York, another key campaign advancement in a blue stronghold that could prove pivotal in the battle for the House.
The independent presidential contender collected more than the required signatures to compete in New York, according to a campaign official who announced the development Tuesday. The campaign said it delivered more than 135,000 signatures to the New York State Board of Elections.
The addition is notable for its 28 electoral votes, but also for its possible down-ballot ripple effect. Kennedy appearing on the ballot could inspire more turnout and potentially play a role in several House races, which are expected to be critical in Democrats’ battle for control of the lower chamber.
Kennedy’s ballot qualification in New York would mean the presidential candidate now has ballot access in eight states.
Kennedy’s team has also announced it has collected enough signatures in nine other states to be placed on the ballot, equating to 229 electoral votes combined. This leaves the presidential candidate 41 electoral votes short of qualifying for the debate.
RFK Jr.’s growing national support
Initially, Kennedy entered the race as a Democrat but switched to run as an independent. As he challenges both Biden and Trump, he has been attracting voters who aren’t looking for a repeat of 2020.
Since then, Kennedy has received at least 15% support in three nationally recognized polls and has gotten close in a few others. Kennedy received 17% support in a Marquette University poll from early May, 16% support in a CNN/SSRS poll from late April and 16% support in a Quinnipiac University poll also from late April.
The presidential candidate has until June 20 to meet the debate criteria, which is seven days before the debate is held in Georgia without an audience present.
If Kennedy qualifies, he would be the first third-party candidate to participate in a presidential debate in 32 years.
The Hill contributed to this report.
