D.N.C. Files Federal Election Complaint Against Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

In a federal election complaint filed on Friday, the Democratic National Committee accused Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and a super PAC backing his independent presidential bid of illegally coordinating on a $15 million petition drive intended to qualify him for the ballot in several states that could be crucial to President Biden’s re-election prospects.

The 11-page complaint to the Federal Election Commission described the arrangement as an in-kind contribution to Mr. Kennedy’s campaign by the super PAC, American Values 2024, one that violated federal campaign finance laws and breached long-established financial barriers between candidates and outside groups.

“This is an effort to subvert our election laws and prop up a stalking horse in R.F.K. Jr.,” Lis Smith, a senior adviser to the D.N.C., said during a Zoom call with reporters.