Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s name may remain on Wisconsin’s November ballot, despite his withdrawal from the presidential race and endorsement of President Donald Trump. Democrats are fighting to keep him in the race, leading Kennedy’s legal team to file an urgent appeal in hopes of blocking this effort. The decision could impact the outcome in the critical swing state.
A Dane County judge ruled that state law prohibits candidates from withdrawing after filing their nomination papers, but Kennedy’s attorneys argue this law treats third-party candidates unfairly. They point to President Joe Biden’s earlier exit from the race, which allowed Vice President Kamala Harris to step in as the Democratic nominee. Kennedy’s legal team claims that Wisconsin’s election laws give major party candidates more flexibility, putting independents like Kennedy at a disadvantage.
The appeal, now in the hands of Wisconsin’s Second District Court of Appeals, seeks an injunction to remove Kennedy from the ballot before overseas ballots are sent out. His lawyers argue that Democrats are trying to keep him on the ballot to confuse voters and siphon conservative votes away from Trump in a state that could be pivotal to the election.
At the same time, Democrats are working to disqualify Green Party candidates from the ballot to ensure their left-wing voters don’t stray. Their strategy is clear: keep Kennedy on the ballot to undermine Trump’s chances and consolidate their own base by eliminating competition.
This case exposes the Democratic Party’s tactics of using third-party candidates to their advantage while pushing for rules that disproportionately impact independents. It also raises concerns about the integrity of election laws and whether they are being used to manipulate outcomes in favor of the two major parties.
