Democrat Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to campaign Rye BBQ hosted by Republican Scott Brown

RYE — Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will cross party lines to meet with Seacoast voters at a barbecue hosted by a former Republican U.S. senator.

The candidate challenging incumbent President Joe Biden will speak Wednesday, Sept. 13 on Central Road in Rye. The event hosts are Scott Brown, who represented Massachusetts in the Senate before becoming an ambassador to New Zealand during the Trump administration, and his wife, Gail Huff Brown, a former journalist and one-time New Hampshire congressional candidate.

The Browns have hosted a series of candidate forums and meet-and-greets titled “No BS BBQ." Every candidate that has appeared before Kennedy has been a Republican.

The couple invited local voters to the event in a letter paid for by Kennedy’s campaign. In the letter, the Browns explained their decision to welcome the candidate to Rye, stating "it might be unusual for us to host a Democrat" but adding "many are eager to hear (Kennedy's) perspective as an alternative to Joe Biden.”

“Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will share with us his unique and inspirational vision for a prosperous, free nation at peace, at home and abroad,” the letter reads. “We are hosting this event so you can get to know Bobby personally and hear about the latest on his campaign for truth.”

The 69-year-old environmental lawyer and writer announced his presidential candidacy in April. He received criticism after repeating a false conspiracy theory suggesting COVID-19 is “ethnically targeted ... to attack Caucasians and Black people” while sparing Ashkenazi Jewish people and Chinese people. He later claimed the meaning of his comments was misinterpreted.

Kennedy is the son of former U.S. Attorney General and Democratic presidential contender Robert F. Kennedy and the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy. The Democratic candidate founded the Waterkeeper Alliance, an environmental organization focusing on clear water advocacy, and a co-founder of the Children's Health Defense.

An investigation from the Associated Press published in December 2021 found that the Children’s Health Defense gained followers and funding and expanded its reach since the start of the pandemic as a result of spreading misinformation about the coronavirus and vaccines.

Kennedy’s Instagram account was banned by the company in 2021 for repeatedly sharing debunked claims about the coronavirus and vaccines, though it was reinstated after he launched his presidential bid.

The mailer sent out by the candidate’s campaign cites Kennedy's support for strengthening unions, favoring America’s small and medium-sized businesses, breaking up “too-big-to-fail” banks and monopolies and restoring civil liberties.

“We will end the forever wars, clean up government, increase wealth for all, and tell Americans the truth,” Kennedy’s pitch adds.

Kennedy's event will be held Wednesday, Sept. 13 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 261 Central Road in Rye. Members of the public are invited to attend and can RSVP by emailing rye@kennedynh.com.

A presidential primary poll released by Emerson College on Aug. 28 shows Biden maintains a substantial lead over Kennedy in the Democratic nomination race, though the long-shot candidate is polling in the double digits. The poll found that 12% of 2024 Democratic primary voters would support Kennedy, compared to 61% for Biden and a slim 4% for author, spiritual leader and activist Marianne Williamson.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to campaign at Scott Brown's Rye NH BBQ