RFK Jr. running mate says Khanna’s call for her to step down is ‘anti-democratic’

Nicole Shanahan, running mate for independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., tweeted Tuesday in a social media post that she is “rebelling” on an open letter calling for Rep. Ro Khanna’s (D-Calif.) resignation. Democratic.”

Mr. Shanahan, a Silicon Valley lawyer, said Mr. Shanahan, a California progressive, had initially encouraged him to join the conversation, but then reversed his stance.

“In my conversation with Mr. Roe, he congratulated me on my election, said that every American has a right to run for office in this country, and encouraged me to run,” Shanahan said. Ta. I have written Tuesdays on X, formerly known as Twitter. “He said we live in a democracy and it was wrong for him to threaten me not to run.”

“Clearly Mr Low changed his position based on pressure from his party,” she continued. “I hope he understands how anti-democratic it is to ask someone to resign from a race that gives the American people the power to decide for themselves.”

“I am very sorry that he pressured me to release this letter publicly. He could have called me privately. He is my direct contact. I have a tip.”

The remarks came after CBS News contacted Shanahan for comment on Khanna’s letter asking him to resign.

Kanna shared the letter with the outlet Before sending it to Shanahan, before signing it and publishing it. motion.

Mr. Khanna called for Mr. Shanahan to cancel his candidacy and expressed concern that Mr. Kennedy’s candidacy in November’s presidential election would “tip the scales in Donald Trump’s favor.”

“While I fully respect third parties and anyone’s right to run for public office, I am not satisfied with Robert F. Kennedy’s name appearing on the ballot in a battleground state,” Khanna said in the letter. “I am deeply concerned that the election could tip in Donald Trump’s favor.” “Another Trump presidency would be disastrous for the environment, the economy, and our democracy.”

Khanna expressed admiration for Shanahan’s efforts to tackle the “climate crisis,” but argued that a potential return of Trump to the Oval Office would have “dire” consequences for the climate.

“While there may be considerable disagreement over the Democratic platform, President Trump’s second term has been disastrous for the climate, and President Biden has delivered the most significant action Congress has taken on clean energy and climate change. “It is clear that the efforts of the Anti-Inflation Act will be undermined by the change in our nation’s history,” he wrote in the letter. “We cannot afford to deal such a devastating blow to building a clean energy economy.”

Khanna said he didn’t agree with Biden on every issue, but insisted that “effectively” the next election was a “binary choice” between Trump and Biden.

“I understand that you do not agree with President Biden on every issue,” Khanna said in the letter.

Mr. Shanahan said last month that he was a “disillusioned Democrat” and that environmental policy played a role in his decision to join Mr. Kennedy’s candidacy.

“Even though I represent the President, I have criticized his position on the Willow Project, which opens up some of the Arctic’s pristine tundra and wetlands to oil production,” Khanna said in the letter. ” he said.

Khanna pressed President Biden for an immediate cease-fire and “the release of all hostages,” but said in the letter that he knew Biden was “the best choice for the president” and that he would not support the president’s re-election campaign. He said he wholeheartedly supports the

Shanahan I donated Regarding Mr. Khanna’s candidacy in the past parliamentary elections. She donated $6,600 toward her 2023 re-election bid, according to a recent Federal Election Commission (FEC) filing.

President Kennedy said he had “always respected” Khanna and that the demands on Shanahan were “unfortunate.”

“I am so grateful for Nicole’s courage and kindness,” President Kennedy said. X Tuesday evening. “I have always respected Rokhanna. His flip-flopping here was disappointing. The party has the power to bash and upset people of character.”