Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the independent presidential candidate, has secured a spot on the ballot in Florida this fall, marking a significant victory for his campaign. The minor party that nominated Mr. Kennedy as its presidential candidate had its ballot access reinstated this week, allowing him to be on the ballot in the third-largest state in terms of electoral votes.
Florida, known as an increasingly Republican state, poses an interesting dynamic for Mr. Kennedy’s campaign. With both Mr. Biden and Mr. Trump drawing support from his candidacy, there is uncertainty about the impact he could have on the race in the state where Trump won by a narrow margin in 2020.
Mr. Kennedy’s campaign is focused on gaining ballot access in all 50 states, and with Florida now secured, he is on the ballot in seven states. This puts him in contention for a total of 119 votes in the Electoral College, a crucial metric for qualifying for the presidential debates.
The Reform Party’s nomination of Mr. Kennedy in Florida allowed his campaign to bypass the need for a separate ballot access petition, saving time and resources. The party’s historical significance, founded by Ross Perot, adds a layer of importance to Mr. Kennedy’s candidacy as he aims to follow in the footsteps of past independent candidates who made significant impacts on American politics.
With less than two weeks before the deadline to qualify for the debates, Mr. Kennedy still has work to do to secure the necessary ballot access in more states. However, his presence on the ballot in Florida is a step in the right direction for his ambitious presidential campaign.