Hail to Michigan. Hail to the conquering heroes. Michigan Democrats win battle to keep RFK, Jr. on the November ballot.
The political landscape in Michigan and Wisconsin is heating up as Democrats fight to keep Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on the ballot, despite his recent decision to end his independent presidential campaign and endorse former President Donald Trump. Kennedy had been nominated by the Natural Law Party in Michigan and had filed as an independent candidate in Wisconsin, but now, even after his withdrawal, officials in both states are making it clear that his name will remain on the ballot.
In Michigan, Cheri Hardmon from the secretary of state’s office confirmed that minor party candidates, like Kennedy, cannot withdraw once they’ve been nominated, meaning his name will still appear on the November ballot. Wisconsin’s election commission echoed this stance, voting to deny Kennedy’s request to withdraw his candidacy. The commission cited state law, which mandates that once a candidate qualifies for the ballot, their name must stay on it unless they’ve passed away.
This move has sparked controversy, especially with Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson issuing a stern warning to local election officials. Benson made it clear that any officials who refuse to certify election results, particularly in cases of alleged fraud, will face consequences, emphasizing, “WE WILL COME FOR YOU…”
Critics are quick to point out the irony here. On one hand, Democrats are ensuring that a candidate who’s no longer running stays on the ballot, potentially diverting votes away from their own base. On the other hand, they’re threatening those who might question the legitimacy of the election, raising eyebrows about their tactics.
The decision to keep Kennedy on the ballot could have significant implications, especially in these key swing states where every vote counts. And as tensions rise, the debate over election integrity and political strategy is only going to get more intense as November approaches.