Cornhusker State News

Former Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made headlines after endorsing Donald Trump on Aug. 23, 2024. This move comes as Kennedy, a Catholic and the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, shifts his political allegiance in a move that could influence Catholic voters in the state and nationwide.

Kennedy has been open about his deep connection to his Catholic faith, which he discussed in a recent interview with EWTN. He spoke of growing up in a family where Catholicism played a central role. 

"We said the rosary at least once a day, oftentimes three times a day," said Kennedy, emphasizing how faith guided him through his struggles with addiction and shaped his worldview. "We prayed before and after every [meal]. We read the Bible every night. We read the lives of the saints. We went to church, sometimes twice a day. We would go to the 7 o’clock Mass and 8 o’clock Mass in the summers. It was our whole family, and it was really our whole community. It was part of me growing up.”

He has credited his faith with helping him recover from addiction and grounding him in his political and personal life.

“During that period of time, I wouldn’t say I lost my faith, but when you’re living against conscience, which you have to do if you’re addicted to drugs, you push God out over the periphery of your horizon,” Kennedy said. “So the concept of God was, although it never was erased from me, it was just a distant concept that was not part of my day-to-day life.”

The impact of Kennedy’s endorsement could resonate with the approximately 20.8% of the Nebraska population that identifies as Catholic, which translates to around 410,000 Catholics based on the state's total population of nearly 1.97 million. This percentage comes from data sources including the Archdiocese of Omaha, which alone accounts for about 235,000 Catholics, along with other dioceses such as Lincoln and Grand Island, which contribute nearly 97,000 and 54,000 Catholics, respectively.

Kennedy’s political platform addresses several key issues for Catholic voters. He has proposed measures aimed at reducing the number of abortions, such as providing subsidized daycare for mothers to alleviate financial concerns. 

Additionally, Kennedy opposes recent changes to Title IX regulations that permit biological males to compete in women’s sports, aligning with more traditional Catholic teachings on gender. 

He expressed concern about the fairness of allowing males to participate in women’s sports, stating, "I think we all need to respect people who have sexual differences and protect them, but I don’t believe that people who were born men ought to be able to compete in consequential sports.”

This position will resonate with Catholics in Nebraska, who often prioritize traditional values in their political decisions.

Nebraska could see a shift in voter behavior due to Kennedy’s endorsement. His Catholic background and policy positions might motivate Catholic voters who are undecided or seeking candidates that reflect a nuanced approach to complex social issues.