# Kennedy considers 2028 presidential run

> Louisiana senator tells NBC News he is thinking about running for president if he cannot be effective in the Senate.
- Title: Kennedy considers 2028 presidential run · NBC News | Shortify
- Summary: Louisiana senator tells NBC News he is thinking about running for president if he cannot be effective in the Senate. Sen. John Kennedy says he is considering…
- Keywords: john kennedy, 2028 presidential election, senate, louisiana, republican party, politics, news, Kennedy, considers, 2028, presidential, run
- Source: NBC News — https://nbcnews.com/politics/2028-election/john-kennedy-considering-running-presidential-campaign-rcna601389
- Author: Megan Brand
- Published: 2026-10-04T14:27:36.902+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: john kennedy, 2028 presidential election, senate, louisiana, republican party, politics, news
## Kennedy opens door to 2028 run
Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., told NBC News' Meet the Press that he is considering a presidential run in 2028 when asked by moderator Kristen Welker.
## Senate re-election comes first
Kennedy said his current plans are to run for re-election to the Senate, but he would consider a presidential bid if he could not be effective there.

> My plans right now are to run for re-election, but as I've said before, if I don't think I can be effective in the Senate anymore, I would consider it.
## Kennedy up for re-election in 2028
Kennedy is up for re-election to the Senate in 2028, the same year as the presidential election, which shapes his current political calculations.
## Goobers and the presidential field
Kennedy said if a bunch of candidates he considers goobers run and one might win, he would consider running if he thought he could do a better job.

> 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.
## Declines to compare with Vance
Vice President JD Vance is widely considered a likely presidential candidate in 2028. Kennedy declined to discuss Vance when asked why voters should pick him over the vice president.

> I'm not going to talk about another potential candidate. I'm just not there yet.
## Field of candidates emerging
Multiple politicians on both sides of the aisle are considering 2028 runs or have not ruled it out, though none have formally announced yet. Kennedy thinks a full field would be good for both parties.
## First race without Trump as nominee
The 2028 presidential election will be the first time since 2012 in which Trump will not be the Republican nominee, reshaping the party's field.
## Key takeaway

Sen. John Kennedy says he is considering a 2028 presidential run but has not decided, prioritising his Senate re-election bid.