FIVE THINGS ABOUT RFK’S RUNNING MATE

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is running for president as an independent, has chosen California tech lawyer and megadonor Nicole Shanahan as his running mate. Here are five things to know about her.

1 HER EX IS GOOGLE CO-FOUNDER SERGEY BRIN

Shanahan, 38, was born in Oakland to a Chinese immigrant mother and a father who suffered from mental illness. In an interview with Puck in 2022, Shanahan said her mother worked as a maid to make ends meet. Shanahan received her law degree from Santa Clara University. From 2018 to 2023, she was married to Google co-founder Sergey Brin. The two have a daughter. Last year, Shanahan “committed” to her partner, Jacob Strumwasser, an adviser at a bitcoin engineering firm.

2 SHE LEFT TECH FOR PHILANTHROPY

In an essay for People, Shanahan said she spends most of her time “working for climate solutions, social justice, and women’s reproductive science,” as well as focusing on autism research. “About two years ago our daughter was diagnosed with autism, and by virtue of that diagnosis I have a new cause to focus attention on,” she wrote in the essay. Shanahan founded the Biaecho Foundation, whose stated goal, according to its website, is to invest in “changemakers” who are tackling such issues as “... Reproductive Longevity & Equality, Criminal Justice Reform and a Healthy and Livable Planet.”

3 SHE HAS DONATED TO BIDEN

Shanahan donated $25,000 to the joint fundraising effort between Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign and the Democratic party, per FEC filings. Shanahan also contributed to the campaigns of Democrats Marianne Williamson and Pete Buttigieg in that election cycle before backing Biden.

4 SHE QUIT THE DEMOCRATS ON TV

During a rally with Kennedy Tuesday, Shanahan officially left the Democratic party and encouraged other disillusioned members of the party to join her and Kennedy in their campaign. “The Democratic party ... has lost its way,” she said. “In its leadership, in its institutions, it has become interested in elitism, celebrity and winning at all costs.”

5 SHE PAID FOR THE SUPER BOWL AD

The New York Times reported Shanahan was a “major source” of the funding and creative guidance behind a $4-million, 30-second Super Bowl ad, sponsored by the super PAC supporting Kennedy’s bid.