Staff Reports
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is gaining momentum and causing concern for President Joe Biden, as new polls show him attracting significant support from key voter demographics that have been a challenge for Biden to maintain.
Recent surveys conducted by the New York Times, Siena College, and the Philadelphia Inquirer reveal that the independent presidential candidate is resonating with voters under 30 and Latinos, posing a potential threat to Biden’s re-election prospects.
Swing-state poll shows RFK Jr. siphoning support away from key Democratic demographics https://t.co/kouo52pVNO via @dcexaminer
— Gene Raymond (@chewie1238) May 14, 2024
Kennedy has garnered 18% support from voters under 30 and 14% from Latinos in crucial swing states such as Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. This surge in support has prompted worry among Democrats about the impact Kennedy could have on Biden’s chances for re-election.
A former Democratic strategist, Ben Tulchin, highlighted the appeal of Kennedy’s “hard-edge economic populist message” to young voters and Latinos, a message that differs from Biden’s approach. Tulchin expressed concern about the potential for these demographics to pivot their support to a third-party candidate like Kennedy, citing their dissatisfaction with the current political and economic status quo.
The surveys also indicated that 59% of Hispanic voters and individuals aged 18-29 supported Biden in the 2020 election, making these groups crucial for Democrats. The growing support for Kennedy has prompted both Biden and former President Donald Trump to focus on the independent candidate, raising questions about whether Kennedy could draw votes away from them.
Despite initial expectations that Democrats would be most affected by Kennedy’s candidacy due to his famous Democratic family name, Trump has intensified his attacks on the independent candidate, labeling him a “Democrat plant” and emphasizing his leftist positions.
Kennedy’s average of around 10% support in each swing state, combined with his favorable ratings, has further escalated concerns for Biden. With his net positive favorability rating and likability compared to both Biden and Trump, Kennedy is proving to be a formidable contender in the 2024 election, presenting a complex challenge for the two major parties.
