Robert F Kennedy Jr, the independent presidential candidate known for his anti-vaccine views, has announced Nicole Shanahan as his running mate. Shanahan, 38, is a Silicon Valley attorney and philanthropist, previously best known as the ex-wife of Google co-founder Sergey Brin. She has never held political office.
Shanahan became a major donor to Kennedy's campaign, contributing $4m to a Super PAC that funded a controversial Super Bowl ad. The ad, which imitated a John F Kennedy campaign spot, was condemned by Kennedy family members. Shanahan told the New York Times she supports Kennedy's stances on the environment and vaccines, adding, 'I do wonder about vaccine injuries.'
Shanahan and Brin have a daughter with autism, and she dedicates significant time to researching the condition. She has donated to the UC Davis Mind Institute, which studies autism. In an interview, Shanahan blamed the media for labelling Kennedy an 'anti-vaxxer' and said a friend advised her to 'do her own research'.
Before supporting Kennedy, Shanahan donated to Democratic politicians including Ro Khanna and Joe Biden. She grew up in Oakland in difficult circumstances, later becoming a patent attorney. Her divorce from Brin in 2021 attracted media attention over alleged affair rumours with Elon Musk, which both denied.
Kennedy praised Shanahan as a 'technologist' who shares his concerns about big tech censorship. The pair discussed her candidacy at a dinner party last month.
