RFK Jr. Remains on Ballots in Michigan and Wisconsin Despite Campaign Suspension

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will continue to appear on the presidential ballots in Michigan and Wisconsin, even after he has suspended his independent campaign and endorsed former President Donald Trump, FOX News reports.

Kennedy’s request to withdraw from these key battleground states has been denied due to state regulations. So he will remain listed as a candidate for the Natural Law Party in Michigan.

“Minor party candidates cannot withdraw, so his name will remain on the ballot in the November election,” said Cheri Hardmon, senior press secretary for Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.

Despite Kennedy’s formal request to be removed from the ballot, the Wisconsin Elections Commission voted on Tuesday to keep him on it. The commission also voted against Democrats’ attempts to remove independent candidate Cornel West and Green Party candidate Jill Stein. Wisconsin state law requires that once a candidate files for office, they remain on the ballot until they die, as noted by Ann Jacobs, the commission chair.

“The statute literally says, ‘Any person who files nomination papers and qualifies to appear on the ballot may not decline nomination,'” Jacobs stated.

Kennedy, who officially suspended his campaign last week and endorsed Trump, had expressed a desire to withdraw from battleground states where his presence could act as a spoiler in the election.

“In about 10 battleground states where my presence would be a spoiler, I’m going to remove my name,” Kennedy said.

However, the law and procedural obstacles have prevented this from happening in Michigan and Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin commission’s deadlock over Kennedy’s removal reflects ongoing tensions, with Republicans advocating for his removal and Democrats insisting on following state law. The commission ultimately approved eight presidential candidates for the Wisconsin ballot, including Kennedy, Trump, and others.