Michigan says RFK Jr. will be on presidential ballot, despite suspending campaign

"Minor party candidates cannot withdraw, so his name will remain on the ballot in the November election," said the Michigan secretary of state's office.

By Natalia Mittelstadt

Published: August 27, 2024 2:16pm

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the independent presidential candidate who suspended his campaign last week and endorsed GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, will still appear on the Michigan ballot for the presidential race in November, according to the secretary of state's office.

When Kennedy endorsed Trump on Friday, he said that he would withdraw his name from the presidential ballot in key swing states so that it wouldn't hurt Trump. However, that will not be possible in Michigan.

"Minor party candidates cannot withdraw, so his name will remain on the ballot in the November election," Cheri Hardmon, senior press secretary for Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, told Axios regarding Kennedy.

In Michigan, Kennedy is the nominee of the Natural Law Party.

"The Natural Law Party held their convention to select electors for [RFK Jr.]. They cannot meet at this point to select new electors since it's past the primary," Hardmon added.

In addition to endorsing Trump, Kennedy has joined the former president's transition team.