10,000 signatures reached
To: Nicole Shanahan
Step down from Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s spoiler presidential ticket!
In March, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced his running mate for his spoiler campaign for president—philanthropist and attorney Nicole Shanahan. Shanahan has every right to run on RFK Jr.'s ticket. But let’s be clear—RFK Jr.'s presidential campaign will not lead to the White House, the votes simply aren't there. It could, however, tip the scales in Donald Trump's favor. And a second Trump presidency would be catastrophic—for our environment, for our economy, and our democracy.
That's why I have drafted an open letter urging Shanahan to step back from RFK Jr.'s presidential ticket and instead help elect President Biden. Read the open letter below and add your name to urge Shanahan to step aside from RFK Jr.’s campaign and instead join the progressive coalition working to defeat Trump in November.
Why is this important?
READ THE OPEN LETTER BELOW:
Dear Nicole Shanahan,
While I completely respect third parties and the right for anyone to run for public office, I am deeply concerned that Robert F. Kennedy’s name on the ballot in swing states could tilt the election in Donald Trump’s favor. Another Trump presidency would be disastrous – for our environment, for our economy, and our democracy.
My concerns about RFK Jr.’s campaign swinging the election in Trump’s favor aren’t coming out of thin air. The latest polling from late March showed Trump taking a 1-point lead when RFK Jr., Cornel West, and Jill Stein were on the ballot. Even Trump himself, and other members of his team, have admitted that a RFK Jr. ticket will help his reelection.
I admire your commitment to exploring bold solutions to the climate crises, including the recent $1.105 million grant that the Bia-Echo Foundation provided to Iowa State for regenerative agriculture research. This is why I am so concerned by your decision to join a ticket that may hand the election to Trump. According to a new report by Carbon Brief, a second Trump presidency could lead to an additional 4 billion tons of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by reversing the Inflation Reduction Act, expanding drilling operations on public lands, and defunding the EPA.
While you may have fair disagreements on the Democratic Party's platform, it is clear that a second term for Trump would be disastrous for climate and undo the work of President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, the most significant action Congress has taken on clean energy and climate change in our nation's history.
We can’t afford such a fatal blow to building a clean energy economy.
We need you in the Democratic coalition to help reelect President Biden and to push for bold climate solutions. Your climate leadership would be welcome in our big tent.
I know you don’t agree with President Biden on every issue. Neither do I. Despite being a surrogate for the President, I have criticized his position on the Willow Project, which opens part of the pristine Arctic tundra and wetland to oil production. I continue to push the President to end the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East by calling for an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages. Nevertheless, l wholeheartedly support him in the November election and campaign vigorously for him all over the country because I know he is our best choice for president.
This election is, as a practical matter, a binary choice between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. On January 20, 2025, one will take the oath of office in our nation's capital. We will either have a President who has passed the most significant climate legislation in history or a President who does not believe there is a climate crisis.
I hope you consider this as a sincere and open invitation. Please feel free to reach out any time to discuss.
Warmly,
Ro Khanna