Independent presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr has filed paperwork to withdraw from the presidential race in the state of Arizona.

The move is viewed as the first step to the 70-year-old formally pulling out the race for the White House.

The nephew of the late former president John F Kennedy has reportedly been seeking a deal with Donald Trump in which he endorses the former president in exchange for a senior job in a future Republican administration.

Trump told CNN this week he would “certainly be open” to Kennedy playing a role in his administration if the independent candidate dropped out and endorsed him.

Mr Kennedy and his running mate Nicole Shanahan have now issued a “voluntary withdrawal” from November’s election in Arizona, according to Adrian Fontes, its secretary of state.

Earlier this week, Mr Kennedy’s campaign announced that he will be delivering a speech in Phoenix, Arizona on Friday to discuss his “path forward”.

Mr Kennedy, a former environmental lawyer, has the support of about 5 per cent of voters nationwide.

His campaign was based on small-state liberalism and the rejection of large corporations.

His exit will prompt a scramble by both major parties to absorb some of his voters, which could push either Trump or Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, over the finish line in key swing states.

A poll by The Wall Street Journal found that about half of RFK Jr voters would be likely to swing towards Trump, while about a quarter would go to Ms Harris.

If he endorses Trump, more voters may transfer their allegiance to him.