Fifteen members of the storied Kennedy political family endorsed US President Joe Biden at a Philadelphia campaign event on Thursday, with some joining him onstage, in a rebuke of Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s independent bid for office.

Biden, a Democrat, faces Republican Donald Trump in a November re-match of the 2020 election. But members of both parties have bristled over the possibility that the candidacy of Kennedy, a prominent anti-vaccine activist, or another third-party bid could spoil either of their chances.

Kennedy, son of the slain US senator and presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, made his name as an environmental lawyer, before becoming known as an anti-vaccine advocate with an eclectic mix of political views. He is backed by 15 percent of registered voters, versus 39 percent for Biden and 38 percent for Trump, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll.

Many in Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s elite family – prominent Democrats since the 19th century – have broken with him over his views.

She added that she and her family were at the event because they feel obligated to do all they can to support Joe Biden’s campaign.

Kennedy family members are then expected to join local volunteers in door-knocking and phone-banking on Biden’s behalf, campaign aides said.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr said on social media platform X that he had heard some of his family was endorsing Biden.

The event on Thursday was part of Biden’s third day this week in Pennsylvania, a critical swing state for his re-election bid. Biden needs strong turnout from Philadelphia’s Black community to win the state, and the Kennedys became icons because of their advocacy for civil rights.

(Production: Gerardo Gomez)

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