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Authored by Zachary Steiber via The Epoch Times,

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) is calling on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s running mate to step aside, telling her that he’s worried the independent candidate could lead to former President Donald Trump beating President Joe Biden in November’s presidential election race.

Mr. Khanna pointed to recent polling that found President Trump was favored by more respondents if Mr. Kennedy and other outside candidates were included in the race. That includes a poll from Marquette Law School, which found that registered voters were evenly divided between President Biden and President Trump, but that, if the other candidates were included, President Trump had a 41 percent to 38 percent edge, with Mr. Kennedy coming in third with 14 percent.

Ms. Shanahan, a lawyer, said that she recently spoke to Mr. Khanna. He had congratulated her on being named Mr. Kennedy’s running mate and encouraged her to run, she said.

Mr. Khanna responded to the criticism, writing:

Mr. Kennedy said in a statement that he was grateful for Ms. Shanahan.

Ms. Shanahan was announced as Mr. Kennedy’s running mate in March.

She has donated millions to Mr. Kennedy’s campaign, according to financial filings, and has also donated in the past to Mr. Khanna and President Biden.

Mr. Kennedy originally launched his presidential bid as a Democrat but became an independent after his campaign was stifled within the Democratic Party, which has largely backed President Biden’s re-election effort.

Ms. Shanahan said in March she was a “disillusioned Democrat” and was leaving the party.

2024 presidential contender Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks with his vice presidential pick Nicole Shanahan in Oakland, Calif., on March 26, 2024. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

She also said the Republican Party is letting people down. Ms. Shanahan said she’s spoken to members of Congress from both parties about issues like sustainable farming but “all I’ve gotten are vague promises that never amount to real change.”

Ms. Shanahan, the ex-wife of one of Google’s founders, has spent millions on various causes, including research into farming and autism.

Ms. Shanahan’s views mean she should be focused on supporting President Biden, not helping Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Khanna argued.

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