World
US elections: Silicon Valley philanthropist Nicole Shanahan joins Kennedy’s independent presidential bid
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NEW DELHI: Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr has chosen Nicole Shanahan as his running mate in the upcoming US elections.
Shanahan, aged 38, hails from California and is recognized as a lawyer and philanthropist primarily in Silicon Valley. She is the founder of Bia-Echo Foundation, a philanthropic organization that support causes such as women’s reproductive science, criminal justice reform, and environmental initiatives.Moreover, Shanahan has held roles as a Stanford University fellow and previously served as the founder and CEO of ClearAccessIP, a patent management firm that was acquired in 2020.
During a recent public appearance, Shanahan shared insights into her challenging upbringing in Oakland, where her mother, an immigrant from China, and her father of Irish and German-American descent, grappled with hardships, including substance abuse and financial instability. Despite achieving significant wealth later in life, Shanahan emphasized her ability to empathize with the struggles faced by ordinary Americans.
“The purpose of wealth is to help those in need. That’s what it’s for. And I want to bring that back to politics, too. That is the purpose of privilege,” said Shanahan.
Shanahan’s remarks also delved into controversial topics, including her concerns about vaccines and their potential links to autism. She has shared her personal experiences with fertility issues and her daughter’s autism diagnosis, attributing these health challenges to environmental factors and the lack of comprehensive research on the long-term effects of childhood vaccinations even though there has been no scientific linking vaccines with autism.
Amaryllis Fox Kennedy, the campaign manager and Kennedy’s daughter-in-law, commended Shanahan’s dedication to critical issues such as racial equality, regenerative agriculture, and maternal health.
Shanahan’s shared disillusionment with major political parties and concerns about government overreach resonate with Kennedy’s stance on fostering lasting change outside traditional political frameworks.
Furthermore, Shanahan’s heritage played a role in her selection, embodying the values of a nation built on immigrant contributions while advocating for secure borders. Kennedy at his Oakland rally said, “I wanted someone who would honor the traditions our nation, as a nation of immigrants, but who also understands that to be a nation, we need to secure borders.”
As the campaign progresses, questions linger about Shanahan’s financial contributions and potential impact on Kennedy’s bid to secure ballot access across all states. Shanahan’s significant donation towards a pro-Kennedy Super Bowl ad underscores her commitment to the campaign, signaling a potential influx of resources to support Kennedy’s ambitious electoral endeavors.
Shanahan’s campaign finance history reveals consistent donations to Democratic candidates, including a maximum contribution to Kennedy during his Democratic bid before his switch to an independent candidacy in October.
While it remains uncertain if Shanahan will self-finance her campaign, she has already demonstrated financial support for Kennedy. Notably, she played a pivotal role as the primary donor behind a Super Bowl ad produced by a pro-Kennedy super PAC, American Values 2024, contributing $4 million. Despite criticism surrounding the ad, the super PAC emphasized that Shanahan was the driving force behind its concept, funding, and execution.
Now as a vice-presidential candidate, Shanahan can provide unlimited direct contributions to the campaign. This presents a significant opportunity for Kennedy’s ambitious campaign, which aims to secure ballot access in all 50 states—a venture estimated to cost $15 million and necessitate the collection of over 1 million signatures.
(With inputs from AP)
Shanahan, aged 38, hails from California and is recognized as a lawyer and philanthropist primarily in Silicon Valley. She is the founder of Bia-Echo Foundation, a philanthropic organization that support causes such as women’s reproductive science, criminal justice reform, and environmental initiatives.Moreover, Shanahan has held roles as a Stanford University fellow and previously served as the founder and CEO of ClearAccessIP, a patent management firm that was acquired in 2020.
During a recent public appearance, Shanahan shared insights into her challenging upbringing in Oakland, where her mother, an immigrant from China, and her father of Irish and German-American descent, grappled with hardships, including substance abuse and financial instability. Despite achieving significant wealth later in life, Shanahan emphasized her ability to empathize with the struggles faced by ordinary Americans.
“The purpose of wealth is to help those in need. That’s what it’s for. And I want to bring that back to politics, too. That is the purpose of privilege,” said Shanahan.
Shanahan’s remarks also delved into controversial topics, including her concerns about vaccines and their potential links to autism. She has shared her personal experiences with fertility issues and her daughter’s autism diagnosis, attributing these health challenges to environmental factors and the lack of comprehensive research on the long-term effects of childhood vaccinations even though there has been no scientific linking vaccines with autism.
Amaryllis Fox Kennedy, the campaign manager and Kennedy’s daughter-in-law, commended Shanahan’s dedication to critical issues such as racial equality, regenerative agriculture, and maternal health.
Shanahan’s shared disillusionment with major political parties and concerns about government overreach resonate with Kennedy’s stance on fostering lasting change outside traditional political frameworks.
Furthermore, Shanahan’s heritage played a role in her selection, embodying the values of a nation built on immigrant contributions while advocating for secure borders. Kennedy at his Oakland rally said, “I wanted someone who would honor the traditions our nation, as a nation of immigrants, but who also understands that to be a nation, we need to secure borders.”
As the campaign progresses, questions linger about Shanahan’s financial contributions and potential impact on Kennedy’s bid to secure ballot access across all states. Shanahan’s significant donation towards a pro-Kennedy Super Bowl ad underscores her commitment to the campaign, signaling a potential influx of resources to support Kennedy’s ambitious electoral endeavors.
Shanahan’s campaign finance history reveals consistent donations to Democratic candidates, including a maximum contribution to Kennedy during his Democratic bid before his switch to an independent candidacy in October.
While it remains uncertain if Shanahan will self-finance her campaign, she has already demonstrated financial support for Kennedy. Notably, she played a pivotal role as the primary donor behind a Super Bowl ad produced by a pro-Kennedy super PAC, American Values 2024, contributing $4 million. Despite criticism surrounding the ad, the super PAC emphasized that Shanahan was the driving force behind its concept, funding, and execution.
Now as a vice-presidential candidate, Shanahan can provide unlimited direct contributions to the campaign. This presents a significant opportunity for Kennedy’s ambitious campaign, which aims to secure ballot access in all 50 states—a venture estimated to cost $15 million and necessitate the collection of over 1 million signatures.
(With inputs from AP)
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