Treasurer John Kennedy has ended speculation about his future political plans, announcing that he’s running for re-election this fall.
The long-time state treasurer, a Republican, had considered bids for governor or attorney general in the Oct. 24 election. But The Associated Press reports that with an email to supporters today, Kennedy declared he would seek a fifth term as treasurer.
Kennedy has one of the heftiest campaign accounts among candidates for statewide office, wrapping up 2014 with just under $3.5 million on hand. That’s a strong deterrent for any possible challengers, and Kennedy hasn’t had opponents for the last three election cycles.
His decision to run for re-election rather than another statewide job likely will heighten political chatter that Kennedy is eyeing a possible Senate bid if U.S. Sen. David Vitter wins the governor’s race. Aside from Vitter, a Republican, the other major candidates vying for governor this year are Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle, Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne and state Rep. John Bel Edwards, who is the lone Democrat among them.
