Robert F Kennedy Jr's favourability ahead of Joe Biden, Donald Trump with US voters - poll

There is another contender emerging in the race for the United States' presidency.

He's a lawyer, a former drug addict, and boasts one of the most famous surnames in US politics.

Robert F Kennedy Junior, nephew of former president JFK, is running as an independent candidate against Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

RFK Jr is the product of a political dynasty, a man raised around flashing lights.

Now, 60 years after his uncle was assassinated, and his own father too, he's now pursuing the presidency.

"I'm Robert F Kennedy Junior, and I'm running for President of the United States," he says in his campaign launch video.

Newshub met him campaigning at a foodbank in Queens, New York.

It was a camera opportunity for a candidate hoping to pull off the upset of all political upsets.

His efforts in Queens were enough to win the votes of new colleagues, or perhaps it was the name.

"The Kennedys have a good track record, they were all good. All the Kennedys were good," one woman at the food bank told Newshub.

"We know what the Kennedys do for our people, so yes," said one man.

RFK Jr was popular at the foodbank Newshub met him at in Queens, New York.
RFK Jr was popular at the foodbank Newshub met him at in Queens, New York. Photo credit: Newshub.

This Kennedy though, is an outcast among the family.

He was once a heroin addict, accused of spreading lies about COVID-19, and is routinely condemned as an anti-vaxxer.

"There is no vaccine that is safe and effective," he said on a recent podcast.

Even members of his famous clan have denounced RFK Jr publicly.

"I have no idea why anyone thinks he should be president," said JFK's grandson, John Schlossberg.

But could this be the chance for someone else, when voters seem unenthused by two elderly men vying for the presidency?

Robert F Kennedy Jr is attacked by Republicans, Democrats - even some members of his own famous family don't want him to run.

But with just under nine months until the election, he still thinks he can win.

"Yeah, I am going to win this thing. We're going to be on the ballot in every state, and my favourability is now higher than any of the other political candidates," he told Newshub.

RFK Jr has pulled ahead of rivals Trump and Biden in favourability among US voters.
RFK Jr has pulled ahead of rivals Trump and Biden in favourability among US voters. Photo credit: Newshub Graphics.

Kennedy, who suffers from a vocal disorder, is actually right.

A poll of who is making the most favourable impression on voters, found RFK Jr ranks higher than both Biden and Trump.

Favourability is one thing, but in polls of who US voters would actually vote for, Kennedy's percentage is only around the mid-teens.

It's not enough to win, but he could pull critical votes from Biden or Trump in a close contest.

He still needs enough signatures to get on each state's ballot, but he says if he can do that, a Kennedy could be back in the White House.