Shawn Griffiths
Video Source: Forbes Breaking News / YouTube. Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore / Flickr.
Libertarian Party presidential nominee Chase Oliver appeared on "Forbes Newsroom" Thursday in part to discuss independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr's potential withdrawal from the 2024 race.
"If you are a candidate running outside the two-party system and you're worried about being a so-called 'spoiler,' you probably shouldn't have been running in the first place," said Oliver.
Kennedy is scheduled to hold an event in Arizona where he reportedly will suspend his campaign, though neither he nor his team have confirmed or announced their plans amid speculation he will endorse Donald Trump.
This speculation centers on a podcast interview with his running mate, Nicole Shanahan, during which she said their options were to form a new party and risk helping Kamala Harris or drop out and endorse Trump.
Kennedy has withdrawn his name from the Arizona ballot.
"For me, as a Libertarian, I am part of a political party that has been formed, that is challenging the two-party system, and we're not going to walk away from that," said Oliver.
He added that he is excited to see the race through and help his party grow. He said he entered the race "to take votes from Trump, Harris and any other electorate" that finds his campaign to be worthwhile.
"Dropping out of the race is a signal that you were never really interested in running to begin with," said Oliver.
Oliver also doesn't believe that Kennedy dropping out will necessarily hand Trump the election. He commented on polls being tight and said that right now it is difficult to predict November's results.
"If Robert F Kennedy gets out of the race and you are tired of the Democrats and the Republicans, myself and Mike ter Maat, my running mate -- the Libertarian Party welcomes you with open arms."
"We're going to be here to challenge the duopoly throughout this election cycle," he added.
Check out the full interview with Chase Oliver above, including his response to whether or not he'd accept a position in Trump's administration under a "unity government."