Robert Kennedy Jr. on Monday lost his bid to appear as an independent presidential candidate on the New York State ballot after a judge’s ruling found the residency claims “preposterous.”
The ruling stemmed from a suit filed by a super PAC helmed by supporters of President Biden, Clear Choice PAC, on behalf of several voters who contended RFK Jr. did not fit the residency requirements he was claiming. State election law dictates the case be decided by a judge, without a jury.
In her ruling, state Supreme Court Justice Christina Ryba cited the lack of evidence Kennedy lived at the address he claimed — a spare bedroom of a Westchester friend — as well as RFK Jr.’s lack of knowledge that the property was in foreclosure, something a bona fide resident would have known. Also, his claim that he’d relocate there when his wife, actress and comedian Cheryl Hines, retired from acting didn’t wash, Ryba said.
“Given the size and appearance of the spare bedroom as shown in the photographs admitted into evidence, the court finds Kennedy’s testimony that he may return to that bedroom to reside with his wife, family members, multiple pets, and all of his personal belongings to be highly improbable, if not preposterous,” Ryba said in her ruling.
“Based upon the clear and convincing credible evidence presented in this case, the court finds that the … address listed on the nominating petition was not Kennedy’s bona fide and legitimate residence, but merely a ‘sham’ address that he assumed for the purpose of maintaining his voter registration and furthering his own political aspirations in this state.”
Kennedy was not available to comment, but has won battles in other states, including New Jersey, to get on the ballot based on other criteria, including numbers of petition signatures, and the viability of his party, We the People.
With News Wire Services
