RFK Jr. Reviving ‘Viva Kennedy’ Campaign to Rally Latino Voters

March 22, 2024

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is making a play for Latinos, who, by some estimates, now make up 15% of some eligible voters.

RFK Jr.’s outreach is reminiscent of his uncle John F. Kennedy’s ‘Viva Kennedy’ campaign in the 1960s, which targeted Latino voters.

Kennedy family members have openly endorsed President Joe Biden.

RFK Jr.’s outreach campaign for Latino voters kicks off next weekend in Los Angeles with a former LA sheriff some may recognize, Alex Villanueva.

The presidential candidate has boots on the ground to create grassroots support and campaigns to register voters.
He’s expected to host additional events, such as one coming up next weekend. He’s also airing Spanish ads. In a week, it received 40,000 views.

It’s a pivotal moment for RFK Jr., who is already on the ballot in several states. The Latino voter bloc could arguably sway swing states.

NewsNation caught up with members of his super PAC, American Values, a separate entity that is already working to engage Latino votes as well.

“We are creating a connection,” said American Values 2024 member Alejandra Chaparro. “We are creating a community with Latinos. Unfortunately, many of them don’t speak the language. They don’t understand the system. Now, it’s very important that Latinos are being listened (to). And they are important, because they can elect the upcoming president.”

Polling shows a drop in support for Democratic President Joe Biden, especially among nonwhite voters younger than 35 years old.

For months, the nation has seen the Biden camp invest tens of millions of dollars in ads targeting Asian, Black and Latino voters, showing just how important outreach is to campaigns.