Progressive Political Action Committee 314 Action kicked off a new advertising campaign on Monday, targeting Robert F. Kennedy Jr. They’ve been pretty vocal about their disapproval, particularly mocking his recent decision to swim in a river in the DC area.
In a 30-second ad, 314 Action portrayed Kennedy’s swim in Rock Creek as quite ridiculous. They juxtaposed it with headlines about other incidents, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s actions and another concerning a Homeland Security Secretary’s mishap involving a dog.
Last week, Kennedy shared a photo of himself swimming in Rock Creek with his grandson on social media. Swimming in most DC waterways has been banned since the 1970s due to contamination issues stemming from the aging sewer system. The National Park Service has indicated that swimming is not allowed because of high levels of bacteria.
The ad claims, “RFK Jr. ignored warnings and jumped into a sewage-contaminated river with his grandson.” It also highlights that he has been responsible for the worst measles outbreak in decades by cutting funding for crucial medical research. The message suggests that if he doesn’t care for his own grandson’s health, then he won’t care about others’ well-being either.
Shaughnessy Naughton, president of 314 Action, criticized Kennedy for his tenure as HHS secretary, claiming he turned the top health office into what she called a public health disaster in just the first 100 days.
314 Action aims to support Democrats with STEM backgrounds in public office and has previously backed candidates like Janelle Bynum from Oregon, George Whitesides from California, and Sen. Jackie Rosen from Nevada.
Naughton asserted that Kennedy isn’t merely incompetent—he’s dangerous. She pointed out the severe consequences of his policies, including a significant measles outbreak and cuts to vital Medicaid programs. “RFK Jr. will be remembered not as a leader, but as a reckless conspiracy theorist, endangering children, the elderly, and vulnerable Americans,” she remarked.
