ALBANY, N.Y. — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reaffirmed his commitment to returning to New York as he faced scrutiny regarding his residency on Wednesday, marking the second day of legal questioning related to his independent presidential candidacy.
A lawsuit brought by concerned voters aims to challenge Kennedy’s ballot eligibility, alleging that he inaccurately claimed a residence in Katonah, a suburb of New York City, while actually residing in Los Angeles since 2014.
In court, Kennedy maintained that Katonah is his “home address,” insisting that his decade-long stay in California has been temporary, motivated by family commitments with his wife, Cheryl Hines. He emphasized that he intends to return to New York, asserting that this intent suffices for establishing residency.
During a heated courtroom exchange, attorney Keith Corbett pressed Kennedy on whether relocating to California indicated residency intentions there. Kennedy resisted providing a straightforward answer, highlighting the complexity of his circumstances.
“My intent is to return to New York, and that’s the only requirement for residency,” Kennedy stated. He elaborated that his move to California was driven by love for his wife, expressing a deliberate choice to support their family while planning a future return to New York.
Testimony presented included a document from July 2 in which Kennedy claimed his driver’s license was tied to his Katonah address. However, discrepancies regarding the registration timeline were raised, prompting inquiries about potential inaccuracies in his statements. Kennedy acknowledged the mix-up, attributing it to his assistant’s handling of the paperwork.
Despite the hurdles, Kennedy reaffirmed his deep connection to New York, where he has lived for 50 years. The court proceedings also brought to light a federal statement of candidacy that listed a Los Angeles address, raising further questions about his residency claims.
The ongoing lawsuit is backed by a PAC supporting President Joe Biden, and a judge is expected to reach a decision soon without a jury involved. While independent presidential candidates historically face significant challenges, Kennedy’s name recognition and dedicated support base may enable him to achieve unprecedented success for an independent in recent elections.
Kennedy’s campaign has reported gathering sufficient signatures in 42 states, though it continues to face legal obstacles in various jurisdictions, including North Carolina and New Jersey.
