Early Life and Education

Kennedy was born on November 21, 1951, in Centreville, Mississippi, and grew up in Zachary, Louisiana.  He earned a B.A. in political science, philosophy, and economics from Vanderbilt University, graduating magna cum laude.  He then studied law, receiving a J.D. from the University of Virginia. Later, he earned a Bachelor of Civil Law (B.C.L.) with first-class honors from Oxford University (Magdalen College).

Career: Law and Public Service

After law school, Kennedy returned to Louisiana to practice law. He worked as an attorney and partner at the firm Chaffe McCall in Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

He then entered public service:

• He served as Special Counsel to Governor Buddy Roemer.

• From 1990 to 1992, he held a Cabinet-level role in Roemer’s administration.

• Between 1996 and 1999, he was Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Revenue.

• He then became Louisiana State Treasurer, a position he held for several terms until 2017.

Kennedy also taught law: he was an adjunct professor at LSU Law Center from 2002 to 2016.

U.S. Senate Career

In 2016, Kennedy won election to the U.S. Senate and was sworn in on January 3, 2017. He won re-election in 2022.

In the Senate, he serves on several key committees: Appropriations; Banking; Budget; and Judiciary. He has worked to pass legislation on disaster relief, anti-corruption measures, and financial policy.

Private Life and Family

John Kennedy married Rebecca “Becky” Stulb on April 28, 1990.  Becky Kennedy is an attorney: she holds a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Tulane University and a B.A. from the University of South Florida.  She practiced law in Louisiana, working at the firm Cater & Willis and later at Chaffe McCall.

The Kennedys have one son, James Preston “Preston” Kennedy. They live in Madisonville, Louisiana, where they are founding members of the North Cross United Methodist Church.