Gov. Jared Polis explains his support for RFK Jr.

DENVER — Colorado Democratic Governor Jared Polis called Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s personal opinions “bizarre.” Yet he cheered on President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead Health and Human Services. The two go back at least five years when Polis talked to RFK Jr. on the phone about a plan to kill vaccine mandates in Colorado.

Polis isn’t naïve. He knows RFK Jr. has claimed vaccines are linked to autism and that fluoride should be removed from drinking water. Last year he said COVID-19 was a genetically engineered bioweapon to spare Chinese and Jewish people but harm Black and White people.

The governor wants to push past that, hoping RFK Jr. can fulfill his promises to “make America healthy again.”

“RFK is not a pharmaceutical lobbyist,” Polis said in an interview with 9NEWS. “As you indicated, he has a lot of false things that he has said and does say. Can he separate those incorrect personal beliefs from the work he does on chronic disease, nutrition, and taking on big pharma? For the sake of our country, I hope so.”

“Do you think he’ll be able to?” 9NEWS reporter Marc Sallinger asked Polis. 

“That’s a valid question,” Polis said. 

The governor said Tuesday that Colorado has an application with the FDA to import prescription drugs from Canada. It’s been sitting at the FDA for a year now and hasn’t been approved. He’s hopeful with RFK leading the agency, they’ll approve the application and allow the state to save money on prescription drugs.

“Would you use this agency or your position to further your personal beliefs, or will you use it for what you said you would use it for?” Polis asked. “He said he would continue to allow vaccines of course but wants to use it to improve health, improve diet and nutrition, and take on big pharma.”

While Polis has championed RFK Jr. as someone who would focus on health and wellness, his party doesn’t see it the same way. Colorado Democrats last week said RFK Jr., “consistently undermines trust in science using his personal beliefs and conspiracy theories as evidence.”

Polis said he spoke with RFK Jr. on the phone in 2019 when he was in Colorado fighting against vaccine mandates. Polis championed a plan to avoid mandates for children and create a system for parents to opt-out.  

“Why take a meeting with a vaccine skeptic when you are trying to push science-first policies?” Sallinger asked. 

“I’m trying to improve and increase the vaccination rate in our state,” Polis said. 

“I met with people who wanted to have mandates too,” Polis added. “I try and hear from everybody before I make a decision.”