Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) hinted Sunday that he could enter the 2028 presidential race if the Republican field fails to impress him, while reiterating that his immediate plan is to seek another Senate term.
Appearing on NBC's "Meet the Press," the Louisiana Republican said his current intention is to run for reelection to the Senate in 2028. But he left the door open for a White House bid, saying he would "consider" it if he believes he can't be effective in the upper chamber or if the field of contenders is weak.
"I haven't made a decision. … On my side of the aisle, if a bunch of goobers run, and I think they're goobers, and one of the goobers might win, and I think I could do a better job, I would consider running," Kennedy told host Kristen Welker. "But right now, I'm running for reelection."
Kennedy, who has served in the Senate since 2017, has been active on the campaign trail for fellow Republicans this year, including a recent trip to Nebraska to support Sen. Pete Ricketts. His comments come as the 2028 GOP field begins to take shape, with Vice President JD Vance leading in early polls.
At 74, Kennedy would be 77 by the time of the next inauguration, potentially making him one of the oldest presidents to take office. Only President Trump and former President Biden would have been older at their respective inaugurations.
Recent polling from Harvard University, The Harris Poll, and HarrisX shows Vance leading the potential GOP field, with Donald Trump Jr. trailing by 15 points among Republicans. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, and commentator Tucker Carlson round out the top six.
Vance has said he would discuss a presidential run with his wife, Usha, after the November midterms. When asked about the possibility of facing Vance, Kennedy declined to comment on the vice president's potential candidacy, saying he's "not going to talk about" another candidate.
"I'm just not there yet," Kennedy said. "I assume JD is going to run … but I think it'll be good for both parties to … have a full field."
Kennedy's remarks reflect a broader uncertainty within the GOP as it looks beyond the Trump era. His willingness to criticize potential rivals as "goobers" is characteristic of his blunt style, which has made him a frequent presence in political news. He has also been vocal on other issues, such as warning Republicans not to ignore voters' economic concerns and pushing for caps on college sports ticket prices.
As the 2028 race slowly takes shape, Kennedy's potential entry adds another layer of unpredictability. His decision, he says, will depend on whether he believes he can make a difference in the Senate and whether the eventual GOP field meets his standards.
