Dennis Kucinich Leaves Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Presidential Campaign

Dennis J. Kucinich has left his post as the presidential campaign manager for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., according to a memo that went to campaign staff Friday and which was described to The New York Times.

The surprise move comes days after Mr. Kennedy, who had been running as a Democratic challenger to President Biden, declared himself an independent candidate for president at a rally in Philadelphia on Monday.

Mr. Kucinich, a former Democratic congressman who twice ran for president himself, has been with Mr. Kennedy, a leading vaccine skeptic and purveyor of conspiracy theories, since he began his run for office in April. He introduced Mr. Kennedy at the Philadelphia rally.

Mr. Kucinich confirmed in a brief interview on Friday afternoon that he was no longer Mr. Kennedy’s campaign manager. He said that he would “not discuss any internal communications of the campaign.”

Stefanie Spear, a campaign spokeswoman, said Mr. Kucinich’s departure “is all news to me.” She said she was not familiar with what precipitated his leaving the campaign.

Mr. Kennedy did not immediately respond to messages requesting comment.