Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was confirmed days earlier to have presented enough signatures to be listed as a choice for voters.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an independent presidential candidate, has withdrawn from appearing on ballots in Arizona.
“RFK Jr.’s campaign filed official paperwork with our office today withdrawing him from AZ’s 2024 election,” Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes said in a statement on Aug. 22.
Officials received the statements of voluntary withdrawal from Kennedy and his running mate, Nicole Shanahan, at 6:02 p.m. local time.
Eleven presidential electors also voluntarily withdrew.
The move came just two days after Fontes confirmed Kennedy had submitted enough signatures to appear on the ballot, and conditionally certified him as an option for voters to choose in November.
Kennedy filed 118,752 signatures, according to documents from the secretary of state’s office. He was only required to submit 42,303.
Kennedy’s website says as of Aug. 23 that he’s on the ballot in Arizona.
Kennedy, 70, the son of late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, initially launched his presidential campaign as a Democrat but shifted to being an independent after the Democrat party stymied his efforts to challenge President Joe Biden.
Democrats have since tried keeping Kennedy off ballots in multiple states through lawsuits over paperwork.
Kennedy was taking part in a trial in New York this week that centered on whether he falsely claimed to be a New York resident. A judge earlier in August ruled he did, a decision that resulted in his removal from the New York ballot. The trial is dealing with Kennedy’s appeal.
Kennedy told reporters outside the courtroom on Long Island that he would be on the ballot in all 50 states.
In addition to withdrawing from Arizona, the lawyer is scheduled to make what the campaign has said will be an address to the nation “about the present historical moment and his path forward.” The scheduled address comes after Shanahan told a podcast that Kennedy might form a new party or end his bid and join forces with former President Donald Trump.
“I think Friday will be one of the biggest events in American election history,” Shanahan said.
Kennedy told reporters in New York that he would not confirm or deny speculation that he’ll drop out of the race.
Trump told CNN that he respects Kennedy and would be honored if Kennedy endorses him. People associated with Trump’s campaign have said Kennedy would be considered for a position in the Trump administration if Trump wins the election.
Kennedy’s campaign did not respond to an early morning request for comment.
Jeff Louderback contributed to this report.