Last month, members of the Alaskan Independence Party gathered in Fairbanks for their biennial convention. The party, which aims for Alaskan secession from the United States, discussed whether to nominate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for president. Ultimately, they rejected Kennedy, who is running as an independent, after some members expressed concerns about having him as their candidate.
Kennedy has been seeking nomination from minor parties in various states to secure ballot access without the need to gather thousands of signatures. While he has been successful in Michigan and California, other states have been more hesitant. Kennedy’s campaign is in talks with several minor parties, such as the Alliance Party and the Reform Party, to secure their nominations.
In some cases, like Alaska, minor parties have rejected Kennedy due to differing views. Kennedy’s own party, We the People, has helped him secure ballot access in states like Delaware, Hawaii, and North Carolina. Despite the challenges, Kennedy’s efforts to align with minor parties stand out for their breadth and coordination.
However, by aligning with niche parties, Kennedy risks being associated with their controversial pasts. For example, the American Independent Party of California, which nominated Kennedy, had supported segregationist George Wallace in the past. Kennedy’s beliefs also do not always align with those of the minor parties he is seeking nominations from.
Overall, Kennedy’s strategy of aligning with minor parties has its challenges and successes. While he faces opposition from some parties, he has managed to secure ballot access in several states. The outcome of his efforts remains to be seen as the 2024 election approaches.