Tulsi Gabbard, the inaugural Hindu-American legislator and former 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful, recently disclosed that she declined an invitation to join Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as his running mate for his independent presidential campaign.
Gabbard, who departed from the Democratic Party in 2022, shared that she and Kennedy had several meetings and developed a friendship. However, she ultimately decided to turn down his offer after careful thought. The specific reasons behind her decision remain undisclosed, as this information hadn’t been revealed previously.
Tulsi Gabbard Declines Offer to Join Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Former Hawaii Representative Tulsi Gabbard, who exited the Democratic Party in 2022, recently shared that she turned down an opportunity to be Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s running mate in his independent presidential campaign.
Speaking to ABC News, Gabbard mentioned having met Kennedy multiple times and developing a good friendship with him. However, she declined his offer to join his ticket after giving it careful thought. Gabbard didn’t provide further details on her decision. This news hadn’t been made public before.
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Kennedy Chooses Nicole Shanahan as Running Mate
Kennedy had several people in mind for his running mate, like Jesse Ventura and Mike Rowe. However, he ultimately chose Nicole Shanahan, a Silicon Valley lawyer known for her youth and work in health and artificial intelligence.
Despite considering other options, Kennedy decided on Shanahan. A source close to him mentioned that even though discussions were held with various individuals, including Tulsi Gabbard, Kennedy found Shanahan to be the best fit.
Tulsi Gabbard’s name surfaced previously when Donald Trump was seeking a vice-presidential candidate. Gabbard, a former Hawaii Representative, parted ways with the Democratic Party three years after an unsuccessful bid for the presidential nomination in 2019.
Gabbard’s forthcoming book, ‘For Love of Country: Leave the Democrat Party Behind’, criticizes the Democratic Party for what she perceives as excessive focus on identity politics and interventionist foreign policies.
Gabbard’s departure from the Democratic Party was marked by criticisms of its stance on issues like LGBTQ+ rights in schools, where she diverged from the party’s mainstream position. Despite this, she made history during her presidential campaign by securing a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 2019.
Kennedy’s camp has yet to comment on Gabbard’s remarks, as reported by ABC News.
About Tulsi Gabbard
Tulsi Gabbard made history as the first American Samoan Congresswoman and practicing Hindu in Congress. She represented Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District from 2013 to 2021. Gabbard, born on April 12, 1981, in American Samoa, earned a business administration degree from Hawaii Pacific University in 2009. Her father, Mike Gabbard, has been a Hawaii state Senator since 2006.
During her teens, Gabbard co-founded the Healthy Hawaii Coalition, aiming to protect the environment and promote community health. She entered politics in 2002, becoming the youngest person elected to Hawaii’s state legislature, serving until 2004.
Gabbard joined the Hawaii Army National Guard in 2003, eventually serving in Iraq and becoming the first female distinguished honor graduate from the Ft. McClellan Officer Candidate School in 2007.
Following her military service, Gabbard worked as a legislative aide for U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka and was deployed to Kuwait in 2009. She later served on the Honolulu City Council and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012.
Notably, in February 2019, she became the first female combat veteran to run for U.S. president, although she suspended her campaign in March 2020. Additionally, she served as vice chair of the Democratic National Committee from 2013 to 2016.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q.1. Why did Tulsi Gabbard decline Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s offer?
Ans. Tulsi Gabbard declined the offer after careful consideration, although she hasn’t disclosed specific reasons for her decision.
Q.2. Who did Kennedy choose as his running mate?
Ans. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ultimately chose Nicole Shanahan, a Silicon Valley lawyer, as his running mate for his independent presidential campaign.
Q.3. When did Gabbard leave the Democratic Party?
Ans. Tulsi Gabbard departed from the Democratic Party in 2022, three years after her unsuccessful bid for the presidential nomination in 2019.
Q.4. What is the title of Gabbard’s upcoming book?
Ans. Tulsi Gabbard’s forthcoming book is titled ‘For Love of Country: Leave the Democrat Party Behind’, where she criticizes the Democratic Party’s focus on identity politics and interventionist foreign policies.
Q.5. What historical milestones did Gabbard achieve in her political career?
Ans. Tulsi Gabbard made history as the first American Samoan Congresswoman and practicing Hindu in Congress. She also became the first female combat veteran to run for U.S. president in February 2019.
