Recent polls indicate that Republicans are more likely than Democrats to view Robert F. Kennedy Jr. favorably, as pressure mounts from allies of Donald Trump for the independent presidential candidate to exit the race and endorse the former Republican president.
Kennedy's popularity has waned in recent polls as he grapples to find his political footing in a race reshaped by the departure of Democratic President Joe Biden and the nomination of Vice President Kamala Harris in his place. Recent polls suggest that Kennedy's presence may not significantly impact the election outcome.
While earlier polls showed Kennedy's support in the double digits, recent polls now place his support in the mid-single digits. It remains uncertain if Kennedy would maintain this level of support in the general election, as third-party candidates often fall short of early poll numbers.
Republicans are notably more likely than Democrats and independents to hold a favorable view of Kennedy. Those with a positive opinion of Kennedy also tend to view Trump more favorably than Harris.
Kennedy's appeal largely stems from being an alternative to the Biden-Trump match-up that many Americans dreaded. A Pew Research Center poll revealed that about half of Kennedy supporters backed him because he was neither Biden nor Trump.
Harris' ascension to the Democratic ticket may have further diminished Kennedy's prospects, with an August Pew poll indicating that Harris has garnered support at Kennedy's expense, particularly among women and non-white voters.
Initially, Kennedy's appeal was tied to his family name and his relation to the renowned Kennedy family, including his father and uncle, former President John F. Kennedy. However, recent challenges, such as a New York judge ruling against his appearance on the state ballot due to a 'sham' address on nominating petitions, have posed obstacles for Kennedy's campaign.
