Sen. John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican known for his one-liners and his aggressive grilling of judicial nominees, said Sunday he may run for president in 2028.
Mr. Kennedy told NBC’s “Meet the Press” that his immediate plan is to run for a third Senate term, but he said he might join an ever-expanding pack of hopefuls seeking the GOP nomination for president.
“If I don’t think I can be effective in the Senate anymore, I would consider it,” Mr. Kennedy said, adding that he would jump into the race if “I think I could do a better job” than others who run.
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He declined to comment on whether he’d challenge Vice President J.D. Vance, who is expected to run, but said the more candidates who compete for the Republican and Democratic nominations, the better.
“I think it’ll be good for both parties,” Mr. Kennedy said.
Mr. Kennedy said the November midterm elections “will be close” and voters are most focused on the cost of living. He took a veiled swipe at the GOP’s insistence that the economy is performing well.
“I think we have to tell the American people the truth. Telling them not to believe their own lying checkbooks is not going to work,” he said.
Mr. Kennedy said inflation began under President Joseph R. Biden but “reared its ugly head” under President Trump because of the Iran war.
“The American people, both sides, feel anger. If they don’t feel anger, they feel deep melancholy. They feel like the Washington political leaders have let them down, that they don’t listen, they don’t care, they feel that way about Congress in particular,” the senator said.
Mr. Kennedy said he plans to campaign for Senate candidates across the country, including New Hampshire, Georgia and in Texas, where Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton is running neck-and-neck with Democrat James Talarico.
Mr. Kennedy said the Texas Senate race “is going to be very, very close.” He declined to endorse Mr. Paxton, whose campaign has been dogged by personal and professional scandals.
When asked if Mr. Paxton “has the character” to serve in the Senate, Mr. Kennedy said the decision lies with Texas voters.
“I don’t know Ken Paxton. I don’t know Mr. Talarico,” he said. “As best as I can tell, the race is an unpopularity contest” that Mr. Paxton will win.
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