(The Center Square) – Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dropped his presidential bid Friday to endorse Republican nominee Donald Trump in the Nov. 5 election.
Kennedy, his voice hoarse, called it quits during a speech Friday in Phoenix.
“In an honest system, I believe I would have won the election,” he said.
Kennedy said Friday that the Democratic party had changed significantly since he attended his first Democratic National Convention at the age of 6. He said it was no longer the party of his father and uncle. He blamed “shadowy DNC operatives” for fighting his campaign at every turn in legal battles challenging the signatures he turned in to get on the ballot in state after state. He also blamed media companies for failing to do their jobs
He said Democrats abandoned democracy.
Kennedy said he had no path to victory and would suspend his campaign. He said his name would remain on the ballot. He also encouraged supporters to vote for him in both red and blue states. However, he said he would remove his name from the ballot in battleground states.
Kennedy also endorsed Trump.
On Tuesday, Trump said he’d “love” Kennedy’s endorsement and that he’d be open to having Kennedy in his administration.