Oakland, USA (BERITAPOLITIK.ONLINE) — The political landscape of the United States has been set abuzz with the announcement of Nicole Shanahan as the running mate for independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. This surprising development took place on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, propelling Shanahan into the spotlight of American politics.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nephew of the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, has garnered attention for his bid in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for November 5, 2024. Opting to run as an independent candidate, Kennedy Jr. is poised to challenge both the incumbent President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.
Shanahan, a lawyer and entrepreneur hailing from Silicon Valley, was chosen by Kennedy Jr. to join his ticket after their initial encounter during a campaign event in Oakland, USA. Kennedy Jr. cited Shanahan’s resilience and her proven track record in the political arena as reasons for her selection. “I want a partner who is curious, open-minded, and confident enough to change their strongest opinions in the face of conflicting evidence,” he remarked, as reported by People on Thursday, March 28, 2024.
Who is Nicole Shanahan?
Nicole Shanahan, born Nicole Anh Shanahan on September 16, 1985, in Oakland, USA, boasts a multicultural background. Her mother is an immigrant from China, while her father has German-American heritage. Shanahan’s upbringing was marked by significant challenges, with her father diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, and her family relying on welfare to make ends meet.
Despite facing adversity, Shanahan pursued higher education, attending Puget Sound University in Tacoma, USA, on a merit scholarship. She studied Asian Studies, Economics, and Mandarin, before furthering her studies in law at Santa Clara University in the USA.
Shanahan embarked on her professional career as a lawyer in California and later founded and led the Bia-Echo Foundation, an investment foundation, and the patent management platform ClearAccessIP. Profits from her ventures have often been directed towards funding initiatives in women’s reproductive health, criminal justice reform, and environmental conservation.
In 2018, Shanahan married Sergey Brin, one of the co-founders of Google, and they welcomed a daughter together. However, the marriage came to an end when Brin filed for divorce in June 2022. In 2023, Shanahan began a relationship with entrepreneur Jacob Strumwasser.
Before her involvement in Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s political campaign, Shanahan supported Joe Biden’s campaign with the Democratic Party, even contributing financially. However, she ultimately parted ways with the Democratic Party. In February 2024, Shanahan met Kennedy Jr. to assist in funding his presidential campaign ads during Super Bowl 2024. Since then, she has become a staunch supporter of Kennedy Jr.’s presidential bid, financing his campaign efforts.
Nicole Shanahan is recognized for her advocacy for criminal justice reform, affordable housing, combating climate change, and improving access to mental healthcare, as reported by BBC.
As the race for the White House heats up, Shanahan’s entry into the political arena alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr. adds a new dimension to the upcoming presidential election, promising a dynamic and intriguing contest for the American electorate.
