RFK's running mate Nicole Shanahan tears into Democrat Ro Khanna for calling on her to ditch the presidential candidate because it could help Trump win: 'How anti-democratic!'

RFK Jr.'s running mate Nicole Shanahan has branded Democratic Representative Ro Khanna's open letter asking her to step down 'anti-democratic.'

Shanahan, a lawyer and tech entrepreneur, was tapped by Kennedy last month to be his No. 2 on the ticket. 

Khanna warned that supporting Kennedy could help pave the way for former President Donald Trump to win the election.

In a letter he shared with CBS News, he said: 'Even Trump himself, and other members of his team, have admitted that a RFK Jr. ticket will help his reelection.'

Despite him sharing the letter, he had not yet sent it to Shanahan, and after she was contacted by CBS, she released a statement on her X profile. 

In it, Shanahan hit back at Khanna saying he had changed his stance 'based on pressure from the party,' and that his remarks were 'anti-democratic.'

Her post said: 'In my conversation with Ro he congratulated me on the position and encouraged me to run, stating that every American has the right to run in this country. 

'He stated that we live in a democracy, and it was wrong for anyone to threaten me against running. 

'Clearly, Ro has changed his stance based on pressure from the party. I hope he understands how anti-democratic it is to ask someone to step down from a race that empowers the American public to make their own decisions. 

'I am very disappointed that he has been pressured into issuing this letter to me publicly. He could have called me privately. He has my direct line.'

In the letter, Khanna said: 'I am deeply concerned that Robert F. Kennedy's name on the ballot in swing states could tilt the election in Trump's favor. 

'Another Trump presidency would be disastrous - for our environment, for our economy, and our democracy.

'We need you in the Democratic coalition to help reelect President Biden and to push for bold climate solutions.'

Following her post to X, RFK Jr. posted: 'I'm so grateful for your courage and grace Nicole. 

'I have always admired RoKhanna. His flip flop here is disappointing. The party has power to bludgeon men of character into waivering.'

Ro Khanna then followed this up with his own response, writing: 'Nicole has every right to be on the ticket. 

'My point to her both publicly and privately has been that RFK Jr.'s ticket threatens the very issues she cares about - such as climate and abortion rights and to welcome her into the Democratic Party.'

Shanahan, the ex-wife of Google co-founder SergeyBrin, called herself a 'disillusioned Democrat' when she was announced as Kennedy's running mate. 

The avid surfer and investor had already given $4.5 million to a super PAC backing Kennedy over the last year and helped pay for the Super Bowl ad that featured him.

Shanahan had also in the past donated funds to Khanna, handing out $17,000 to the representative, according to CBS. 

RFK Jr. is boasting double-digit support, and polling suggests that independent candidate is hurting President Biden more than Trump.

Kennedy's popularity complicates the strategy for the Biden campaign, which is seeking to make November's vote a binary choice between Biden and Trump.

In a DailyMail.com poll published late last month, Trump maintained a four-point lead over Biden. 

When 1,000 likely voters were asked who they would pick if the election were tomorrow, 39 percent said Biden and 43 percent said they would opt for Trump.   

With a margin of error of 3.1 points, it suggests the election will go down to the wire and could be decided by just a few thousand voters in swing states.

Both candidates clinched their parties presumptive nominations on the same day: March 12.