Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has dedicated his career to public service, beginning in 1985 as an attorney for Riverkeeper, an environmental nonprofit focused on protecting New York’s Hudson River. He quickly emerged as a national leader in environmental law, with a focus on the intersection of pollution, public health, and ecosystem conservation.

Kennedy went on to co-found and lead the Waterkeeper Alliance, growing it into the world’s largest clean water nonprofit, with over 1 million volunteers in 40 countries. He also co-founded Children’s Health Defense, an organization focused on investigating and addressing the rise of autism and other chronic childhood conditions.

Throughout his career, Kennedy has consistently positioned himself as an advocate for communities affected by industrial pollution and government inaction—whether defending fishermen along the Hudson, or challenging multinational corporations on issues of health and accountability. With hundreds of legal victories to his name, he developed a deep understanding of environmental science, public health, and regulatory systems—knowledge he now brings to bear as Secretary of Health and Human Services.

A member of one of America’s most storied political families, Kennedy is the son of Senator Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy. A lifelong Democrat, he parted ways with the party in 2023, citing a departure from its foundational principles, and launched an independent campaign for President of the United States on October 9, 2023.