Kennedy Files Petitions for Illinois Ballot
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
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Monday was the deadline for independent candidates to file petitions for the November election.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is the highest profile candidate to file in Illinois Monday. The climate activist and COVID conspiracy theorist has been a lightning rod since switching from the Democratic primary to an independent run in November.
We’re told Kennedy submitted some 60,000 signatures for the November ballot. We had heard Kennedy’s campaign was paying circulators $7 per signature. The Illinoize is currently reviewing Kennedy’s petitions.
Kennedy’s candidacy will almost surely be challenged as his residency has been questioned publicly. It is well known that he resides in Los Angeles, but his running mate, Nicole Shannahan, also lives in California.
The Kennedy family, including RFK Jr.’s younger brother, former Illinois gubernatorial candidate Chris Kennedy, are on the record opposing Robert Kennedy’s campaign and supporting President Joe Biden.
Green, Libertarian, and Constitution Party candidates for President also filed Monday.
David Gill, a multiple-time former congressional candidate (Disclosure: I worked against him in his 2012 race with Rodney Davis) has filed as an independent to challenge Rep. Bill Hauter (R-Morton). Donald Trump won Hauter’s district by 36 points in 2020.