Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) is keeping his options open for 2028, declining to rule out a White House run as speculation grows about who will emerge as the Republican Party’s standard-bearer after President Donald Trump leaves office.
During an appearance Tuesday on NewsNation’s Katie Pavlich Tonight, Kennedy said his current focus remains winning another Senate term, but acknowledged he would consider a presidential campaign under the right circumstances.
“I’m planning on running for the United States Senate,” Kennedy told host Katie Pavlich. “But if you’re asking me what if a lot of people enter the field and I think they’re goobers and I think I can do a better job, would I consider running? And I said, well, sure.”
“I mean, I’ve had some people talk to me about it, doesn’t mean I’m going to do it. But remember that song by The Judds? Why not me?” he added.
Kennedy’s second Senate term expires in January 2029, and his comments come as early jockeying quietly begins for what is expected to be a highly competitive Republican presidential primary.
The Louisiana Republican said the topic came up repeatedly during a recent trip to New Hampshire, the state that traditionally hosts the nation’s first presidential primary. Kennedy visited alongside former Sen. John Sununu Jr. (R-N.H.), who is seeking to reclaim the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.).
Speaking at Saint Anselm College’s well-known Politics and Eggs forum, Kennedy said attendees frequently asked whether he would consider a presidential bid.
“Wonderful people asked me all kind of questions,” Kennedy said of the visit.
According to the Louisiana Radio Network, Kennedy told attendees that while he intends to seek reelection to the Senate in 2028, donors and supporters have encouraged him to consider entering the presidential race. He stressed that he is not ruling out the possibility.
Kennedy later downplayed the speculation when speaking with the Daily Caller.
“I’m running for the United States Senate. Okay, okay, yep, I’m running for the border,” Kennedy joked. “I mean, I don’t know, that’s a long time away. You want to know what I want to do two years from now. God only knows. I may catch a wild hare and do something that surprises both us.”
First elected to the Senate in 2016 and reelected in 2022, Kennedy has become one of the Republican Party’s most recognizable voices thanks to his folksy Louisiana style, viral one-liners, and frequent cable news appearances.
LSU political science professor Robert Hogan said Kennedy’s ability to adapt politically while remaining aligned with the broader Trump movement could make him a serious contender in an open Republican primary.
“He has certainly changed parties and changed his opinions to move in a direction that fits the moment, and someone like that, you can’t count them out in a race that’s going to be as open as the 2028 presidential race,” Hogan told WWL Radio.
Kennedy switched from the Democrat Party to the Republican Party in 2007.
Political analyst Ron Faucheux said Kennedy’s blunt communication style helps him connect with voters beyond traditional political circles.
“He has a way of expressing his views that sounds nonpolitical and very blunt and very funny to a lot of people,” Faucheux told the Louisiana Radio Network.
Faucheux added that Kennedy could have broader national appeal because successful presidential candidates must win over independent voters in addition to their party’s base.
“Ultimately, whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican, it’s not just the voters of your party that elect you, it’s the independent voters that elect you,” Faucheux said. “Kennedy, I think, would be in a position to attract some support nationally.”
Vance, Rubio Seen as Early GOP Frontrunners
Kennedy’s comments arrive as Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are widely viewed as the leading contenders for the Republican nomination in 2028.
President Trump has repeatedly praised both men and fueled speculation about their political futures. Earlier this year, Trump publicly suggested Vance and Rubio could form a “great team” in 2028, saying, “I like them both, and I like them together.”
Trump has declined to endorse a successor this far ahead of the race, though he has frequently highlighted both Vance and Rubio as potential heirs to the MAGA movement. In February, reports indicated Trump was privately asking advisers whether Vance or Rubio would be better positioned to carry forward his political legacy.
Vance recently said he will decide whether to pursue a presidential campaign after the 2026 midterm elections, while Rubio has continued to attract attention as one of the administration’s most visible figures on foreign policy.
With Trump constitutionally barred from seeking another term, the 2028 Republican contest is shaping up to be the party’s first truly open presidential primary since 2016 — and Kennedy is making clear he doesn’t want to be counted out just yet.
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