Robert F Kennedy Jr picks Nicole Shanahan as running mate for White House bid

Buttons are displayed during a campaign event for US presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr in Oakland, California (Eric Risberg/AP)

Robert F Kennedy Jr has chosen Nicole Shanahan to be his vice presidential pick as he mounts an independent White House bid that has spooked national Democrats.

Ms Shanahan, 38, is a California lawyer and philanthropist who has never held elected office.