Nicole Shanahan, the former running mate of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., issued a direct warning to U.S. senators on Monday, vowing to fund primary challenges against those who vote against Kennedy’s confirmation as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Proud of you, Bobby, for taking the lead—and of every American who has every reason to give up but refuses to stop fighting. We WILL win. pic.twitter.com/MnJEzrmFIr
— Nicole Shanahan (@NicoleShanahan) January 29, 2025
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Shanahan, a wealthy attorney and philanthropist, posted on X (formerly Twitter), making it clear that she would actively campaign against any senator who opposes Kennedy’s appointment.
“Dear U.S. Senators, Bobby may play nice; I won’t,” Shanahan wrote in her post.
In a video message, she recalled donating large sums in 2020 to help Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Democrats flip Georgia’s Senate seats.
That year, Sens. Raphael Warnock and John Ossoff won runoff elections, securing a Democratic majority in the Senate.
Now, she warned Warnock and Ossoff that their votes on Kennedy’s nomination would not go unnoticed.
“Please know I will be watching your votes very closely. I will make it my personal mission that you lose your seats in the Senate if you vote against the future health of America’s children,” Shanahan stated.
Shanahan also called out several high-profile senators, both Republicans and Democrats, who she believes may oppose Kennedy’s confirmation. She specifically named:
- Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
- Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
- Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
- Susan Collins (R-ME)
- Bill Cassidy (R-LA)
- Thom Tillis (R-NC)
- James Lankford (R-OK)
- Cory Booker (D-NJ)
- John Fetterman (D-PA)
- Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
- Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV)
Shanahan warned these senators directly:
“While Bobby may be willing to play nice, I won’t. If you vote against him, I will personally fund challengers to primary you in your next election. And I will enlist hundreds of thousands to join me.”
Dear U.S. Senators,
Bobby may play nice; I won’t. pic.twitter.com/G9SZjZhFYR
— Nicole Shanahan (@NicoleShanahan) January 29, 2025
Following her statement, Shanahan tagged each of the 13 senators in a follow-up post, publicly sharing their office phone numbers and urging her followers to pressure them into supporting Kennedy’s confirmation.
@SenMcConnell (R) | Call: 202-224-2541@LindseyGrahamSC (R) | Call: 202-224-5972@LisaMurkowski (R) | Call: 202-224-6665@SenatorCollins (R) | Call: 202-224-2523@SenBillCassidy (R) | Call: 202-224-5824@SenThomTillis (R) | Call: 202-224-6342@SenatorLankford (R) | Call:…
— Nicole Shanahan (@NicoleShanahan) January 29, 2025
Kennedy, a former Democrat who ran as an independent in the 2024 presidential race, ultimately dropped out and endorsed Donald Trump.
In return, Trump selected Kennedy as his nominee for HHS Secretary.
Despite Kennedy’s past criticisms of the pharmaceutical industry and vaccine mandates, his nomination faces a difficult road in the Senate, where he must secure enough votes to be confirmed.
Although she was originally Kennedy’s running mate, Shanahan voted for Trump in the 2024 election after Kennedy exited the race.
She has since been vocal in supporting Trump’s policies and RFK Jr.’s leadership in health policy.
As the confirmation battle unfolds, Shanahan’s threats to fund primary challengers against senators may increase pressure on lawmakers deciding how to vote on Kennedy’s nomination.
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