RFK Considering Former Governor, Quarterback As Potential VP

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. said this week that he had decided on his vice presidential candidate and would be announcing his choice in the next couple of weeks. Kennedy, also known by his initials RFK, mentioned two possible picks, including former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura (I-MN) and NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Kennedy’s consideration of the two candidates also comes amid reports that Rodgers was supportive of the idea, although he made no official statement.

Rodgers endorsed Kennedy and previously stated that he would help Kennedy against former pandemic-era official Dr. Anthony Fauci and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.

Ventura has not announced any indication of whether or not he would accept such an offer.

RFK Jr. has Jets QB Aaron Rodgers, ex-WWE star Jesse Ventura ‘at top of his list’ for VP: report https://t.co/qn7AHLu0FW pic.twitter.com/7py7xrzH8i

— New York Post (@nypost) March 12, 2024

Kennedy has gained in recent polls and is often rated positively by the American public during his third-party bid.

Ventura was elected governor of Minnesota in 1998 over a Republican and Democratic nominee under the Reform Party banner. He had previously served as the mayor of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.

Ventura did not seek another term in office after joining the Independence Party of Minnesota. Ventura has a significant resume, including time as a member of the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War.

Following the conflict, he achieved notoriety as a wrestler in the World Wrestling Federation.

After serving as governor, Ventura taught at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, named after RFK’s uncle, the former president. He also hosted several prominent media shows, including one on MSNBC.

Ventura flirted with third-party politics at the presidential level before, including endorsing the Green Party ticket in 2020 but did not run for president.

Rodgers is a likely future member of the National Football Hall of Fame during his career with the Green Bay Packers and one game on the New York Jets. Rodgers is very popular in Wisconsin, which will likely emerge as a key swing state during the campaign.

Rodgers followed a successful college football career with his time on the Packers, including winning Super Bowl XLV, of which he was also the game’s MVP. Rodgers entered into the wider political debate as a vaccine skeptic in a position similar to that of RFK.