A New York-based campaign official for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Rita Palma, is urging Republican voters to back Kennedy’s independent presidential bid. Palma argues that Kennedy’s presence on the New York ballot could potentially aid Donald Trump in defeating Joe Biden.
As the Kennedy campaign’s state director in New York, Palma has consistently made the case that Kennedy’s inclusion on the New York ballot could “get rid of Biden,” her self-proclaimed “No. 1 priority,” and pave the way for a Trump victory in the historically Democratic state.
Palma’s comments have sparked controversy as the Biden campaign has argued that Kennedy’s campaign is a spoiler that will ultimately benefit Trump. Palma confirmed the legitimacy of the video, which was viewed by CNN. CNN has reached out to the Kennedy campaign and American Values 2024, the super PAC backing his campaign, for comment.
In the video, Palma presents a series of slides summarizing her argument for backing Kennedy, including a slide listing action items Republicans could use “to block Biden from winning the presidency.” Among the actions listed were “Collect signatures for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.,” “Go to Pennsylvania to help Trump,” and “Vote RFK Jr. for President!!”
Palma, who had previously canvassed for Trump in Pennsylvania ahead of the 2016 and 2020 elections, urged attendees to vote for Kennedy, suggesting their support for him increases the likelihood of an election in which no candidate receives a majority of Electoral College votes, or at least 270 electoral votes. Under that scenario, state delegations in Congress would vote to determine the outcome of the election.
Palma also shared similar messages on her social media accounts, encouraging Republicans in New York and other traditionally Democratic states to “make your red vote count” by supporting Kennedy.
Despite Palma promoting Kennedy to the Republican attendees at the meeting, she also invited members of the audience to sign petitions to put Kennedy on New York’s ballot even if they don’t plan to vote for him.
Democratic National Committee spokesperson Matt Corridoni said the comments indicate that “RFK Jr.’s campaign is saying the quiet part out loud.”
The Kennedy campaign sees obtaining ballot access in New York as among its most critical and challenging steps on the road to qualifying for the ballot in all 50 states and Washington, DC. A Kennedy campaign spokesperson told CNN that the campaign has designated New York as a priority for ballot access, with organizers working in all 62 counties in the state. The campaign will need to gather 45,000 valid signatures in the six-week window between April 16 and May 28.