Patrick Kennedy Becomes Latest in Clan to Endorse Joe Biden
Former Rhode Island congressman Patrick J. Kennedy said “there is no other choice than Joe Biden.”
William B. Plowman/NBC via Getty Images
Former Democratic Rhode Island congressman Patrick J. Kennedy has joined other members of the family to endorse President Joe Biden instead of his own cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., for president in 2024.
During an interview on CNN’s State of the Union, Kennedy, a mental health and addiction advocate, called Biden “the best president we’ve ever had on mental health.”
“And frankly, he’s also put the most money to community mental health around the country. So there is no other choice than Joe Biden. If you care about this addiction crisis and this mental health crisis, Joe Biden is your candidate,” he said.
CNN’s Dana Bash pushed him further, asking if he meant his statement to be an endorsement of Joe Biden. In response, Kennedy doubled-down.
Patrick Kennedy endorses Joe Biden over his cousin RFK Jr.: "There is no other choice than Joe Biden."
— State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) May 26, 2024
Author of the new book "Profiles in Mental Health Courage" @PJK4brainhealth joins @DanaBashCNN to talk about addiction, mental health and the 2024 election. pic.twitter.com/p2obWwDyA2
“Of course it is. He’s the best, and he knows this issue, as you know, it’s personally affected him, and I think that every American can relate to what it’s like for Joe Biden because we’ve all had similar circumstances,” he said.
The Rhode Island Democrat is the latest in a slate of Kennedys which have defected from the struggling independent candidate.
In April, more than a dozen members of the Kennedy family announced that they would not be backing their own blood. The group included RFK Jr.’s sister, Kerry, as well as Rore Kennedy, Joe Kennedy III, Ted Kennedy Jr., and Christopher Kennedy.
RFK Jr.’s own sister decried his “dangerous bid,” while explaining that her family would support Biden in the upcoming presidential election.
Get the best of The Beast delivered right to your inbox
By clicking “SUBSCRIBE” you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The family had previously rebuked RFK Jr. for disseminating conspiracy theories and misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines. RFK Jr. has insisted that the family remains close, despite their obvious political rifts.
See more of our coverage in your search results.
Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here.
Unlock a year of full access to The Looker and The Daily Beast for $35.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.
Register below to read this article for free or subscribe
to unlock unlimited access to The Looker and The Daily Beast.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Sign In
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.
Sign in
Login dialog