Senator John Kennedy’s Personal Life, Siblings, Parents, Wife, Girlfriend, Kids, Other Family and Dating History
PARENTS
- Father: John Kennedy Sr.
- Mother: Breeze Kennedy
- Both parents were small business owners in Zachary, Louisiana
SIBLINGS
There is no publicly available information about Senator Kennedy having any siblings.
WIFE
- Name: Rebecca Kennedy (née Stulb), often called Becky
- Married: 1978
- Background: Like John, Becky is also an attorney
CHILDREN
- Son: Preston Kennedy
- Preston is their only child
OTHER FAMILY
There is limited public information about other family members.
DATING HISTORY
Senator Kennedy has been married to Becky since 1978, and there is no public information about his dating history prior to their marriage.
Personal Life
John Neely Kennedy was born on November 21, 1951, in Centreville, Mississippi. Raised in Zachary, Louisiana, Kennedy grew up in a middle-class family, with his father working as a small business owner. This upbringing would later influence his political views and public persona.
Kennedy excelled academically from an early age. He attended Zachary High School, where he was an honors student and involved in various extracurricular activities. His academic prowess earned him a scholarship to Vanderbilt University, where he majored in Political Science, Economics, and also Philosophy, graduating magna cum laude in 1973.
Continuing his education, Kennedy pursued law at the University of Virginia School of Law, earning his J.D. in 1977. His academic achievements didn’t stop there – he went on to study at Oxford University in England, where he also earned a Bachelor of Civil Law degree (B.C.L.) with first class honors in 1979.
Early Career
After completing his education, Kennedy began his career in the legal field. He served as a law clerk to Judge Robert Ainsworth of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Following this, he worked in private practice in Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
Kennedy’s entry into politics came in 1991 when he served as special counsel to Governor Buddy Roemer. This role gave him firsthand experience in state government operations and policy-making.
Political Career
Louisiana State Treasurer
Kennedy’s first major political office was as the Louisiana State Treasurer. He was first elected to this position in 1999 as a Democrat and took office in 2000. He was also re-elected in 2003, again as a Democrat.
However, in a significant political move, Kennedy switched to the Republican Party in 2007. Despite this party change, he continued to serve as State Treasurer, winning re-election in 2011 and 2015.
United States Senate
After unsuccessful runs for the U.S. Senate in 2004 and 2008, Kennedy finally won the seat in 2016. He took office in January 2017, replacing retiring Senator David Vitter.
In the Senate, Kennedy has become known for his colorful speaking style, often using folksy analogies and memorable one-liners during committee hearings and floor speeches. He serves on several important committees, including the Appropriations Committee, the Banking, Housing, and also Urban Affairs Committee, the Budget Committee, and the Judiciary Committee.
Kennedy was re-elected to the Senate in 2022, securing his position until 2029.
Political Positions
Kennedy is generally considered a conservative Republican. He has been a strong supporter of former President Donald Trump and has often aligned with the party’s conservative wing on issues such as:
- Fiscal policy: Advocating for reduced government spending and lower taxes
- Healthcare: Opposing the Affordable Care Act
- Also Immigration: Supporting stricter border control measures
- Gun rights: Consistently voting against gun control measures
However, he has occasionally broken ranks with his party, particularly on issues related to Louisiana’s interests.
Life
Kennedy is married to Becky Kennedy, and they have one son, Preston
