Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) is keeping his options open for a potential White House bid, telling NewsNation on Tuesday that he would consider entering the 2028 GOP primary if he sees the field as weak.
“I’m planning on running for the United States Senate. 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,” Kennedy said during an appearance on “Katie Pavlich Tonight.”
Kennedy, who is serving his second term and is up for reelection in 2028, acknowledged that some supporters have encouraged him to aim higher. “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, referencing the country duo’s 1984 hit.
A Crowded GOP Horizon
The Louisiana senator’s comments come as Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are widely viewed as the early frontrunners for the Republican nomination in 2028. That race will be the first open GOP contest since 2012 without Donald Trump at the top of the ticket.
Kennedy’s flirtation with a presidential bid isn’t entirely new. He recently traveled to New Hampshire, the traditional first-in-the-nation primary state, where he spoke at a Politics and Eggs forum alongside former Sen. John Sununu Jr. (R-N.H.). Sununu is seeking a return to the Senate, aiming to fill the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.).
“Wonderful people asked me all kind of questions,” Kennedy said of the New Hampshire trip, adding that he and Sununu had a “good time.”
Kennedy’s Record and Style
Known for his folksy, sharp-tongued style, Kennedy has carved out a niche as a conservative firebrand in the Senate. He has been a vocal critic of federal overreach, often invoking the Tenth Amendment in debates over states’ rights. He also made headlines for his role in a high-profile health dispute, when he overruled the CDC to keep a hantavirus-exposed woman quarantined in Nebraska.
His potential entry into the presidential race would shake up a field that is still taking shape. While Kennedy hasn’t formally launched a campaign, his willingness to publicly entertain the idea signals he sees an opening—especially if the eventual nominee doesn’t emerge from the current frontrunners.
For now, Kennedy insists his focus remains on the Senate. But his “why not me” attitude suggests he’s keeping a close eye on 2028—and ready to jump in if he thinks the competition is subpar.
