Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. significantly increased his campaign spending on ballot access efforts in April, thanks to a substantial donation from his running mate, Nicole Shanahan. Shanahan, a Silicon Valley lawyer, contributed $8 million to the campaign, which enabled Kennedy to ramp up expenditures by nearly 50% from March, totaling $6.5 million in April.
A significant portion of this spending, over $2.2 million, went to Accelevate 2020 LLC, a Texas-based firm specializing in ballot access and campaign services. This firm has a history of working with presidential candidates from both major parties. Additionally, the campaign invested more than $60,000 in consulting services related to ballot access and paid filing fees in Illinois and Oklahoma. As of early May, Kennedy is officially on the ballot in five states.
Apart from ballot access, other notable expenses included $404,000 for security services provided by Gavin de Becker’s firm and $398,000 on online advertising.
Despite the financial boost from Shanahan, Kennedy’s campaign showed signs of waning grassroots support. Small-dollar donations, defined as contributions under $200, dropped to $843,000 in April, down from $1.3 million in March. This decline marks the lowest monthly total of unitemized donations this year, indicating potential challenges in maintaining widespread voter enthusiasm.
While Shanahan’s substantial donations could sustain Kennedy’s campaign financially, the drop in small-dollar contributions raises questions about the depth of grassroots support, a crucial factor for long-term campaign viability.
The Kennedy campaign’s focus on ballot access highlights the logistical hurdles faced by independent candidates in securing spots on state ballots, a critical step in mounting a viable nationwide campaign.
This update provides a glimpse into the financial dynamics and strategic efforts underpinning Kennedy’s presidential bid as he navigates the complexities of the 2024 election landscape.
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