Surprise Republican Senator Admits He’s Considering Running For President In 2028

Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) revealed over the weekend that he is considering a run for the White House in 2028, saying he could jump into the Republican presidential primary if he looks at the field and sees too many “goobers” with a chance of winning.

Kennedy, the sharp-tongued Louisiana Republican known for his colorful one-liners and viral Senate hearing exchanges, was asked directly Sunday on NBC’s Meet the Press whether he was thinking about running for president.

“Yeah,” Kennedy responded when asked by host Kristen Welker.

Sen John Kennedy Won’t Rule Out 2028

“Why not me on a rainy day?”

“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.”

Goober clause is in effect. https://t.co/sGgNTcZYi1 pic.twitter.com/nNKfAk4TAt

— Mr Producer (@RichSementa) October 4, 2026

“My plans right now are to run for reelection. But as I’ve said before, if I don’t think I can be effective in the Senate anymore, I would consider it,” the lawmaker added. “You know, what’s the old Judds song, Why not me on a rainy day? Why not me to love your blues away? But I haven’t made a decision.”

The Louisiana senator made clear that the strength, or weakness, of the eventual Republican field could help determine whether he takes the plunge.

“If a bunch of, 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,” he explained. “But right now, I’m running for reelection.”

Any Kennedy campaign would enter a Republican race where Vice President JD Vance currently holds a sizable advantage in early polling. The RealClearPolitics polling average currently has Vance at 39.7%, followed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio at 23.4%, Donald Trump Jr. at 11.1% and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) at 7.3%.

However, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) increasingly appears to be laying the groundwork for another White House campaign. Cruz, who ran for president in 2016 and ultimately lost to President Donald Trump, has been actively campaigning around the country, including in key early primary states.

That maneuvering has already sparked some early fireworks with Vance.

“It is really obvious to me that, at this very moment, Ted Cruz is running for president,” Vance told NBC News last week.

Cruz fired back days later, accusing the vice president of taking shots because he was feeling “insecure.”