Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unveils millionaire lawyer Nicole Shanahan as his VP pick: Independent introduces ex-wife of Google co-founder Sergey Brin

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy announced Tuesdsay that millionaire lawyer Nicole Shanahan was his running mate. 

In her hometown of Oakland, California, Kennedy teased who he had picked before bringing Shanahan onstage – noting that his pick was a woman, an avid surfer, who possessed the ‘gift of curiosity’ and had ‘a deep love of the United States of America.’

Upon naming Shanahan, the independent hopeful said that her most important attribute was her age – 38 – as he wanted a younger generation represented on his 2024 ticket.  

Ahead of the announcement a wide cast of characters were mentioned as part of the veepstakes.

New York Jets player Aaron Rodgers, rapper Killer Mike, ex-wrestler and former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura, former Democratic presidential hopefuls Andrew Yang and ex-Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Dirty Jobs host Mike Rowe, life coach Tony Robbins, Republican Sen. Rand Paul, former Republican Sen. Scott Brown, Libertarian podcaster Dave Smith and Tricia Lindsay, a GOP candidate for state Senate in New York were all referenced.

By Tuesday it was widely expected to be Shanahan – as RFK Jr. teased that he wanted to add a young, fresh face to his ticket. 

‘We were looking for somebody who could represent young people. Millennials and Gen Z. They’re the priority of my campaign, just as young people were in 1968 the priority of my father’s campaign and 1960, my uncle,’ he told San Francisco’s KCBS Radio on Monday. 

He said that young Americans were ‘bearing the brunt of the bad leadership that we’ve had in the past.’

‘You know, they’re the ones who are paying the debt. They’re the ones who are suffering from chronic disease. And so really wanted somebody young. I think Nicole is 38-years-old,’ he teased. ‘I wanted somebody who’s super smart. I wanted an athlete who can inspire Americans to get healthy again.’ 

Shanahan fit the bill – holding a law degree and launching a company in her 20s while still pursuing her JD.

She lists among her hobbies paddle boarding, snowboarding, swimming, running, yoga and surfing. 

Shanahan met her second husband, Google co-founder Sergey Brin at a Lake Tahoe yoga retreat and bonded with her current partner Jacob Strumwasse at Burning Man where they discussed their shared love of surfing. 

Kennedy had gathered supporters Tuesday at the 110-year-old Henry J. Kaiser Center in Oakland, Shanahan’s hometown to announce her as his pick. 

His wife, Curb Your Enthusiasm actress actress Cheryl Hines, introduced him – asking those in the audience to keep those impacted by the Baltimore bridge collapse in their minds. 

Hines spoke about how her husband, ‘Bobby,’ was bringing together Americans from all political stripes.  

‘And America is listening and is inspired,’ she said. 

Kennedy and his wife embraced onstage and then the candidate took the podium for more than 35 minutes before inviting Shanahan to come out.