Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. urged a Libertarian congressional candidate in Iowa to drop out of a competitive House race to help Republicans keep control of Congress, according to an audio recording obtained by The Washington Post. Kennedy called Rick Stewart, running for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District, on June 11 and described himself as a “liaison with the White House,” offering to be Stewart’s “advocate” if he would abandon his campaign.
In the recorded conversation, Kennedy drew a parallel to his own 2024 presidential run as an independent, saying he ultimately made a “pragmatic choice” to drop out and endorse Donald Trump, who later appointed him to his cabinet. “Is it more important for me to run as an independent, make a point, or could I make an agreement that puts me in a position where I can make a real difference in people’s lives?” Kennedy told Stewart, according to the Des Moines Register.
When Stewart asked what opportunities might be available to him in the federal government, Kennedy responded: “I can’t go into specifics because, you know, there’s legal prohibitions about that.” Kennedy added that he would be Stewart’s “advocate” if there were “other ways that you think you might be effective.”
Stewart is the second Iowa Libertarian candidate to accuse Kennedy of attempting to pressure him into dropping out. Marco Battaglia, running in Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District, said Kennedy also called him this month with a similar request. Both races are highly competitive and could help determine whether Democrats gain control of the U.S. House in November, according to the Des Moines Register.
The Libertarian Party of Iowa Chair Stephanie Berlin sat in on Stewart’s call with Kennedy and recorded it. Kennedy’s spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment from The Washington Post or the Des Moines Register about either conversation.
Stewart told the Des Moines Register he was not surprised by the outreach, saying that in competitive races “they’re going to play every trick they have that’s legal to try and increase their odds of winning.” He said both major parties have tried to influence the race—Democrats encouraging him to stay in and Republicans pushing him out—because they believe his candidacy could affect the outcome.
The calls underscore mounting Republican anxiety over the battle for the House. Iowa’s 2nd District shifted from “likely Republican” to “lean Republican” in recent forecasts by the Cook Political Report, according to the Des Moines Register. The seat is open after Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson decided to run for U.S. Senate. Stewart will face Democrat Lindsay James, Republican Joe Mitchell, and independent Dave Bushaw on the ballot in November.
Battaglia, the other Libertarian candidate who received a call from Kennedy, was removed from Iowa’s 3rd District ballot in mid-June after a state panel ruled his nominating papers did not match his legal name, Mark T. Andersen. He is preparing a lawsuit to appeal that decision. Iowa’s 3rd District is rated a “toss-up” by the Cook Political Report, with Republican U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn facing Democrat Sarah Trone Garriott.
Sources
- The Washington Post — reported Kennedy’s call with Stewart, audio recording of the conversation, and Kennedy’s description of himself as a “liaison with the White House”
- The Des Moines Register — obtained recording of the Stewart call, detailed quotes from Kennedy and Stewart, reporting on Battaglia’s call, and context on competitive Iowa races
- Cook Political Report — race ratings for Iowa’s 2nd and 3rd Congressional Districts
