Kennedy says he won’t run for governor

Published 6:00 am Tuesday, December 4, 2018

WASHINGTON D.C. — U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., will not run for governor after all.

After months of speculation that the former longtime Louisiana Treasurer would challenge incumbent Gov. John Bel Edwards in 2019, the freshman U.S. senator issued the surprising statement on Monday that he would not seek the governor’s office.

“I love being in the United States Senate,” Kennedy said in a written statement. 

“I will not be a candidate for governor in 2019. I will, however, continue to work hard every day in D.C. and Louisiana for jobs, economic growth, cheaper health insurance, a stronger military, and an end to government waste. 

“I am fortunate to sit on powerful Senate committees that provide a venue to do that,” the 67-year-old Kennedy said. 

“It is such an honor to represent the people of Louisiana in the United States Senate. Right now, that’s where I think I can do the most good.”

Less than a year away from the election, Kennedy’s announcement leaves not a single prominent Republican contender to challenge Edwards. Kennedy, a longtime vocal critic of Edwards, joins a growing list of high-profile Republicans who have opted not to run against Edwards. That list includes Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, U.S. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, and Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser.

The only Republican to make an official announcement that he or she is running in the 2019 gubernatorial race is Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone. U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham and Sen. Sharon Hewitt have been rumored to be running next year.

Kennedy also expressed hope someone would run against Edwards.

“I hope someone runs for governor who understands that Louisiana state government does not have to be a big, slow, dumb, wasteful, sometimes corrupt, spend-money-like-it-was-ditchwater, anti-taxpayer, top down institution,” Kennedy wrote. “I love Louisiana as much as I love my country, and the people of my state deserve a state government as good as they are.”  

The gubernatorial election is Oct. 12, 2019, with a Nov. 16 runoff if needed.