Could Aaron Rodgers and RFK Jr. be on Wisconsin's ballot? Here's how
MADISON Wis. (CBS 58) -- Could Aaron Rodgers be ready to leave the football field to explore a future in politics?
It's possible after the former Green Bay Packer was one of two people presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr's campaign floated as vice president material this week.
The campaign told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel the Jets quarterback and former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura are being considered as possible running mates "along with others on a short list."
It comes after the New York Times first reported Kennedy has been speaking with Rodgers "pretty continuously" for the last month.
Rodgers has yet to comment on the reports, but like Kennedy, he also shares distrust of vaccine mandates and has speculated the effectiveness of COVID vaccines.
However, for voters to even have an opportunity to support or oppose this possible duo, Kennedy's first challenge is getting his name on the ballot.
Ballot Signatures
In Wisconsin, independent presidential candidates, like Kennedy, must submit between 2,000 and 4,000 valid signatures with the state Elections Commission.
That process starts on July 1st and ends August 6th with a 5 p.m. deadline.
It's a task Anthony Chergosky, Assistant Political Science Professor at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, said can be difficult and expensive.
"It would really be a sprint for them to try and obtain as many signatures as possible in a limited time period," Chergosky said.
He also points out, "signature gatherers don't come cheap" and "they need to be paid pretty well to do what is not always a pleasant task."
But it's not impossible. Kennedy already has a group of supporters in Wisconsin determined to help him get on the ballot.
The Wisconsin chapter People for Kennedy has held events in the battleground state including a recent one in Wauwatosa.
Possible Impact on Biden, Trump Votes
If Kennedy does qualify for the ballot, Chergosky said it could cause concern among the other contenders in the presidential race by taking votes away from President Joe Biden or former President Donald Trump.
"Both parties are watching RFK Jr. closely, not because he has any chance of winning the presidential election, but because his presence on the ballot could affect voters and could affect the election outcome," said Chergosky.
Both Republicans and Democrats have called Kennedy's presidential run a potential spoiler campaign.
Kennedy is a nephew of President John F. Kennedy and Senator Ted Kennedy, both Democrats.
Kennedy's messaging on anti-vaccine and false conspiracy theories has made him an outsider in the family, but some voters are still fond of him because of his famous political last name and see him as an alternative to Biden and Trump.
Last month, a Marquette University Law School poll of presidential candidates including independents put Kennedy in third place at 15%. Behind him, independent Cornel West at 3% following Green Party Candidate Jill Stein at 2%, among registered voters.
The poll also put Trump at 40% and Biden with 39%.