John Neely Kennedy has served as a U.S. Senator from Louisiana since 2017. Before entering the Senate, he was Louisiana State Treasurer from 2000 to 2017, where he built a brand as a watchdog on waste, fraud, and what he calls “government nonsense.”
Kennedy is known for two things at once: blunt, sarcastic, meme-able one-liners on TV, and a pretty disciplined pro-industry, anti-regulation voting record. He pushes hard on border security, oil and gas protection, and curbing federal spending. Inside the chamber, he sits on Appropriations, Banking, Budget, and Judiciary — serious power seats.
He’s extremely popular with Louisiana conservatives and has won statewide easily. He’s also floated in conversations for governor and for higher national office because he mixes right-wing policy with an “everyman” delivery that plays well on camera.
Mainstream Conservative
Achievements
- Oversaw returning more than $400 million in unclaimed property to Louisiana residents as state treasurer
- Pushed federal disaster aid and hurricane/flood recovery money for Louisiana communities
- Vocal defender of Louisiana’s oil & gas sector and associated jobs
- Consistent advocate for cutting federal waste and tightening spending
- Serves on high-leverage committees, including Appropriations and Judiciary
Controversies
- Criticized for sharp, sometimes mocking rhetoric in hearings and media hits
- Faced pushback for votes against certain disaster or relief packages he framed as “loaded with pork”
- Accused by opponents of prioritizing oil and gas interests over environmental protections
- Strong alignment with Trump-era policies on immigration and culture war issues
- Foreign policy comments described by critics as too combative and hawkish
Top Donors
| Donor | Total | Individuals | PACs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atco Investment | $101,150 | $101,150 | $0 |
| Ochsner Health System | $81,580 | $81,580 | $0 |
| Morris & Dickson | $72,400 | $72,400 | $0 |
| Advantage Capital Partners | $63,600 | $63,600 | $0 |
| Elliott Management | $62,950 | $62,950 | $0 |
Amounts shown reflect organization-linked giving; most funds listed here are from individual donors or aligned PACs.
Recent Elections
2016 Margin R +21.6%
2022 Margin R +25.8%