Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says he has met the signature requirement to qualify for the ballot in New York, another key campaign breakthrough in a blue stronghold that could be key in the battle for the House.
The independent presidential candidate has collected more signatures than needed to compete in New York, according to a campaign official who announced the development Tuesday. The campaign said it has turned in more than 135,000 signatures to the New York State Board of Elections.
“The scale of this grassroots effort has been monumental and proves the strength of our ground game in a way that many claimed was impossible,” Will Boothby, northeast regional director for the Kennedy campaign, wrote in a statement. He said Kennedy’s operation organized two larger rallies and several smaller events with hundreds of volunteers in order to compete in New York.
“New York State has opposed independent candidates in every way possible, combining the worst aspects of ballot access restrictions into an amalgam designed to prevent any candidate from achieving what we have achieved today,” he added.
The Hill/Decision Desk headquarters, which monitors Kennedy ballot access across the country, did not independently verify the signatures.
New York is one of 15 states where the Kennedy campaign says environmental lawyers are qualified. The addition is notable for its 28 electoral votes, but also for its possible ripple effect on negative votes. Kennedy appearing on the ballot could inspire greater turnout and potentially play a role in several House races that are expected to be critical in Democrats’ battle for control of the lower chamber.
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