2028 Presidential Contenders
Sen. John Kennedy Leaves Door Open for a 2028 Presidential White House Campaign
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Key Points
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Before joining the Senate, John Kennedy served as Louisiana’s state treasurer for 17 years.
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If Kennedy were elected president, he would be the third-oldest person to enter the office, behind Donald Trump and Joe Biden.
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Kennedy is set to become Louisiana’s senior senator in January, when Sen. Bill Cassidy leaves office after losing the Republican primary to Rep. Julia Letlow.
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Kennedy said he had spent the previous month campaigning for Republican incumbents and congressional candidates in states likely to be battlegrounds in 2028, and planned to keep stumping for the party.
Sen. John Kennedy is keeping his options open for 2028. The Louisiana Republican said he plans to seek re-election to the Senate but would consider a presidential run if he could no longer be effective in Congress or believed he offered a stronger choice than other Republicans, according to NBC. Kennedy has not committed to running and declined to say whether he would challenge Vice President JD Vance.
Meanwhile, White House reporters outlined possible Republican paths to the 2028 nomination after President Trump leaves office. These include Trump-backed successors like Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio; candidates like Sen. Ted Cruz who claim Trump ignored their advice; anti-Trump contenders; and wild cards like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and former intelligence director Tulsi Gabbard, according to coverage from the Texas Tribune Festival
Kennedy Moving Up as Louisiana's Senior Senator
Kennedy is set to become Louisiana's senior senator in January when Sen. Bill Cassidy leaves office. Cassidy lost his Republican primary to Rep. Julia Letlow. Before joining the Senate in 2017, Kennedy served as Louisiana's state treasurer for 17 years, building a base in state politics.
Presidential Age Would Put Him in Rare Company
If Kennedy were elected president, he would rank as the third-oldest person to enter the Oval Office. Only President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden would be older. Kennedy has not revealed his age or expressed serious interest in changing course from his Senate plans.
Kennedy Campaigning for Republicans Ahead of 2028
Kennedy said he spent the previous month stumping for Republican incumbents and congressional candidates in states likely to be battlegrounds in 2028, according to his public statements. He plans to continue supporting the party as the election approaches, signaling he remains focused on GOP success regardless of his own future path.
Kennedy Jr. and Gabbard Emerge as 2028 Wildcards
Observers at the Texas Tribune panel said Robert F. Kennedy Jr. could draw support from the Make America Healthy Again movement if the MAGA coalition fractures. According to the panelists, Kennedy Jr.'s outsider status and focus on health issues could appeal to a segment of Republican voters. Tulsi Gabbard, the former intelligence director, was also mentioned as a potential candidate who could shake up the race.
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