Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. He is considering a short list of candidates for his running mate, including the New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura, NBC News confirmed Tuesday.
Kennedy said in an interview last month that he would likely name his VP pick within the next 30 days. The self-imposed deadline passed in early March without any announcement.
“He is considering Aaron Rodgers and Jesse Ventura as candidates, along with others on his short list,” a Kennedy campaign spokesman said Tuesday. “No other details.”
The New York Times reported first Rodgers and former professional wrestler Ventura were on Kennedy’s short list.
Rodgers and the Jets did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Ventura could not be reached for comment.
Ventura, 72, was elected governor of Minnesota in 1998, becoming the first Reform Party candidate to win an election in the state. He served one term and did not seek re-election.
Rodgers, 40, a future Hall of Fame quarterback The winner of the Super Bowl title and four MVP awards is expected to return to the field this year after an injury sustained in the first game of the 2023 season kept him out.
Rodgers has backed Kennedy, 70, after the two locked horns last year over their opposition to Covid vaccines. Tuesday afternoon, Rodgers He repeated Kennedy’s answer “This is the presidency,” he said of President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address at X.
The Democratic National Committee broke Kennedy’s short list.
“Nobody wanted a Three Stooges reunion. Not surprisingly, it’s a short list given the conspiracy theorist’s choice,” said Democratic National Committee general counsel Mary Beth Cahill.
Kennedy ensaid He began his presidential campaign as a Democrat last year and launched an independent bid after struggling to build support from the Democratic base.
Allan Smith and Mike Memoli contributed.