White House sends Health Secretary to battleground districts ahead of midterms

The White House has directed Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to appear in competitive House districts ahead of the November midterm elections. He has visited districts in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Colorado, Michigan, and Ohio in recent weeks.

Kennedy has promoted the administration's Make America Healthy Again agenda during these stops. Topics have included outdoor recreation, whole milk consumption, infant formula safety, and efforts to address addiction.

Campaign appearances The visits have included events in districts held by Republican representatives facing competitive races. One stop occurred at a childcare facility in Toledo, Ohio, to highlight Head Start grants. A White House spokesperson stated that Kennedy is highlighting progress on reducing artificial ingredients and updating federal dietary guidelines.

Political context Kennedy previously ran for president as a Democrat before endorsing President Trump. Several Republican strategists said his name recognition and public profile make him a useful surrogate in districts where other administration figures poll less favorably.

Polls show the Make America Healthy Again movement draws stronger support from Republican voters than from Democrats or independents. A KFF Health Tracking Poll released last month found 41 percent of adults identify as supporters. Administration officials have kept Kennedy's comments on vaccine policy out of public events, focusing instead on nutrition and fitness topics.

Democrats have signaled they may center attacks on any changes to childhood vaccine schedules.