Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is vowing to fight back after a New York judge ruled that he falsely claimed residency in the state on his nominating petitions, effectively blocking him from appearing on the New York ballot. The ruling by Judge Christina Ryba has sparked a heated response from Kennedy, who accuses the Democratic National Committee (DNC) of using legal tactics, or “lawfare,” to suppress his candidacy.
The controversy centers around Kennedy’s use of a friend’s address in suburban New York City to gather signatures for ballot access. The Democrat-aligned group Clear Choice Action challenged this move, arguing that Kennedy did not genuinely reside at the address and that his limited presence there did not meet the state’s legal requirements. Judge Ryba agreed, stating that allowing such a claim would set a dangerous precedent and open the door to election fraud.
Kennedy took to social media to decry the ruling, accusing the DNC of manipulating the legal system to undermine his campaign. “This case is an assault on New York voters who signed in record numbers to place me on their ballot,” Kennedy posted. He also vowed to appeal the decision, asserting that his campaign would ultimately prevail.
Kennedy’s legal team is preparing to seek injunctive relief in federal court, arguing that the 12th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which governs presidential candidate residency, should take precedence over state law. Despite the legal setback, Kennedy’s campaign remains determined, having secured enough signatures to appear on the ballot in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
