Robert F. Kennedy Jr. received 594,000 votes in the 2024 presidential election, despite suspending his campaign months earlier and endorsing President-elect Donald Trump. Listed on ballots in 33 states, Kennedy still captured 0.4% of the popular vote, illustrating the lingering support of his loyal base.
Kennedy’s campaign began with a challenge to Joe Biden in the Democratic primaries before he shifted to run as an Independent. In August, Kennedy withdrew from the race, citing Trump as the only candidate capable of advancing the policies that motivated his campaign. “That’s the only way that we can get me and everything I stand for into Washington, D.C.,” he said in a pre-election video urging his supporters to vote for Trump.
600,000 people voted for RFK Jr after he literally told y’all not too and to vote for Trump 🤦🏻 pic.twitter.com/RSVWKjlUWn
— Bob (@BobsLessons) November 6, 2024
RFK JR. TO MICHIGAN: “When you go into that voting booth, you’re going to see my name on the ballot. I do not want you to Vote for me—If you wanna see me go to Washington, you better Vote for Donald Trump”
— ALX 🇺🇸 (@alx) November 2, 2024
Efforts to remove Kennedy’s name from ballots in states like Wisconsin and Michigan were denied by courts, which argued that early voting had already begun. In Michigan alone, over 1.5 million absentee ballots had been cast by the time Kennedy officially exited the race, leaving no practical way to update ballots.
RFK Jr’s supporters and MAHA followed through on our commitment to vote for Trump and get him elected.
Now it’s time Trump follows through on his promise.
Let’s make America the healthiest country in the world again! pic.twitter.com/nvFYN3LkVB
— End Tribalism in Politics (@EndTribalism) November 6, 2024
Polling data revealed Kennedy’s continued appeal among voters. Surveys showed him drawing 3-5% support in states like Michigan and Wisconsin, where his name remained on the ballot. Many of his supporters said they were drawn to his original platform, even after he endorsed Trump.
The 594,000 votes Kennedy received highlight the challenges of modern elections, where ballot logistics and voter loyalty can create unintended outcomes. While his candidacy had officially ended, the votes he garnered reflected the deep connection he established with a segment of the electorate.
Kennedy’s endorsement of Trump helped unify Independents and disaffected Democrats, particularly in battleground states. His role in the election demonstrates how endorsements and lingering voter loyalty can impact even a race as polarized as 2024.
