Robert Kennedy Jr. Names Aaron Rodgers, Jesse Ventura as Potential VP Running Mates

"No one has officially asked Gov. Ventura to be a Vice Presidential candidate and the Gov. will not comment on speculations," a representative for Ventura tells PEOPLE

Aaron Rodgers, Jesse Ventura Among Robert Kennedy Jr.’s Potential VP Running Mates
Aaron Rodgers, Jesse Ventura Among Robert Kennedy Jr.’s Potential VP Running Mates. Photo:

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In an interview with The New York Times, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said that he is considering both New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and former Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura as his running mate for the 2024 presidential election.

"No one has officially asked Gov. Ventura to be a Vice Presidential candidate and the Gov. will not comment on speculations," a representative for Ventura tells PEOPLE.

Representatives for Kennedy and Rodgers did not respond to PEOPLE’s request for more information on Tuesday.

Kennedy's announcement on Tuesday follows early February reports that the presidential hopeful, 70, was “close to picking” a running mate, reported NBC News.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., son of former US Senator Robert F. Kennedy, speaks during the Bitcoin 2023 conference
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in Miami Beach, Florida, US, on Friday, May 19, 2023.

Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg via Getty

Kennedy revealed to The New York Times that he has been “pretty continuously” communicating with the New York Jets quarterback, 40, for the past month. Kennedy also shared that he has been in touch with the former Minnesota Governor, 72, since Feburary. 

Ventura introduced Kennedy at a campaign event last month in Arizona. Meanwhile, Rodgers previously endorsed Kennedy in 2023. Then last week, Rodgers shared Kennedy’s response to President Joe Biden's State of the Union address on X (formerly known as Twitter)

“This is presidential,” Rodgers wrote in the reshared post.

The NFL star won the 2011 Super Bowl when he played for the Green Bay Packers and beat the Pittsburgh Steelers. He has since won four MVP awards.

More recently, after he joined the Jets for the 2023-2024 season, he tore his Achilles at the season’s first game. Rodgers is expected to return this year.

Aaron Rodgers attends as Aaron Rodgers & Zenith unveil his limited edition design at the Magic Room at the LVMH Tower on October 30, 2023 in New York City.
Aaron Rodgers on October 30, 2023 in New York City.

John Lamparski/Getty

Ventura served as a one-term Minnesota governor from 1999 through 2003. He previously had a career as a professional wrestler.

Prior to running as an Independent candidate, Kennedy -- the son of slain U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of slain president John F. Kennedy -- first launched a campaign as a Democrat. He ended that campaign in October 2023 and began his Independent bid.

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 04: Former governor of Minnesota, Jesse Ventura promotes his new book "63 Documents the Government Doesn't Want You to Read" at Borders Penn Plaza on April 4, 2011 in New York City.
Jesse Ventura on April 4, 2011 in New York City.

Joe Corrigan/Getty

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On Tuesday, the Democratic National Committee shared a statement regarding Kennedy's running mate announcement.

“The Three Stooges reunion no one was asking for. It’s no surprise this is the shortlist considering the conspiracy theorist doing the choosing,” said DNC senior adviser Mary Beth Cahill.

Kennedy will face off against presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden and presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump.

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