Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has qualified as a 2024 presidential candidate in the battleground state of Michigan, his campaign announced Thursday.
Kennedy is backed by the Natural Law Party in Michigan, which worked to collect signatures and file paperwork to support his independent White House bid.
“He’s the most qualified candidate in the modern-day history of America,” said Doug Dern, chair of the Natural Law Party, in a statement. “We welcome Mr. Kennedy and Ms. Shanahan to the party.”
Michigan is the most important state Kennedy has qualified for so far, with just more than six months to go until Election Day. He has earned enough support to appear in places like New Hampshire and Nevada, also considered swing states, but the addition of Michigan makes Kennedy’s effort more serious.
Democrats and Republicans are both looking to add Michigan to their coalitions in the Midwest. President Biden won the state in 2020 against former President Trump, but the incumbent has seen his support there wane this cycle.
Kennedy’s camp is hoping to gather signatures across 50 states before their deadlines, but experts say he only needs a few key battlegrounds to potentially change the outcome on Election Day.
The environmental lawyer has also qualified for North Carolina, Iowa, Nebraska, Hawaii, Utah, Idaho, bringing his total to nine states, according to the campaign.