Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a contender for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination, hired a Republican representative from New Hampshire to help his campaign.
A report from The New Republic noted the long-shot primary challenger to President Joe Biden is not just wooing Republicans, he’s hiring them.
The Democratic Party presidential hopeful hired New Hampshire state representative Aidan Ankarberg, the report noted.
State Rep. Ankarberg has been endorsed by the NRA. He also signed a letter drafted by Arizona state Sen. Wendy Rogers that demanded “a 50-state audit” of the 2020 presidential election, the report added.
Kennedy’s hiring of a Republican is an uncommon one for a presidential hopeful since campaign members are typically from the same party as the candidate.
“Well, I’ve been around primaries for many decades, and never has a Republican state representative worked for a Democratic candidate,” New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley said in an interview with The New Republic.
It’s worth noting that party lines have become more blurred in recent times, with various politicians reaching across the aisle in efforts to foster bipartisanship and potentially appeal to a broader base of voters.
Inclusion of a GOP member in a Democratic campaign might be an indication of RFK Jr.’s objective to be seen as a unifying figure or to bring varied perspectives to the table.
This strategic decision by Kennedy’s campaign could be an effort to court moderate Republicans and independents who might be considering voting outside of their traditional party lines in the upcoming election.
It remains to be seen how this move will be received by the Democratic base, especially those who identify strongly with progressive ideologies.
Some might see it as a strength in building bridges, while others might question the decision and the potential influence it could have on policy directions.
The specifics of the role the Republican representative will play in the campaign are not yet clear.
However, the development underscores the ever-evolving dynamics of U.S. politics and the strategic steps candidates are willing to take in order to broaden their appeal and reach.
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