Changes

==Consideration of gubernatorial candidacy in 2019==

==Consideration of gubernatorial candidacy in 2019==

In March 2018, Kennedy accused Governor John Bel Edwards , whom he may challenge for reelection in 2019, of attempting to tax the state into prosperity. Kennedy said that believes Louisiana voters as a whole do believe there is a state fiscal crisis. Edwards' office disputed Kennedy's criticism and said the former state treasurer has offer no solutions for state financial problems.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/article_8524f6f0-2181-11e8-877a-6f530176b7d4.html|title=U.S. Sen. John Kennedy blisters Gov. John Bel Edwards, says voters doubt fiscal crisis|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|author=Will Sentell|date=March 6, 2018|accessdate=August 11, 2018}}</ref>

In March 2018, Kennedy accused Democratic Governor [[John Bel Edwards]] of attempting to tax the state into prosperity. Kennedy said that believes Louisiana voters as a whole do believe there is a state fiscal crisis. Edwards' office disputed Kennedy's criticism and said the former state treasurer has no solutions for state financial problems.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/article_8524f6f0-2181-11e8-877a-6f530176b7d4.html|title=U.S. Sen. John Kennedy blisters Gov. John Bel Edwards, says voters doubt fiscal crisis|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|author=Will Sentell|date=March 6, 2018|accessdate=August 11, 2018}}</ref>

In June 2018, Kennedy called upon Louisiana's Democratic Governor [[John Bel Edwards]] to step down from his position and turn the office over to Lieutenant Governor [[Billy Nungesser]], a Republican. Kennedy was critical of Edwards' repeated calling of special legislative sessions to obtain more tax increases to close a state budget deficit. Kennedy maintains spending must first be reduced before higher taxes should be considered. Edwards' office called Kennedy's demand "absurd."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/legislature/article_a5197e72-6e5c-11e8-a322-fff7ebf6289f.html|title=Sen. John Kennedy: John Bel Edwards should resign; governor's office says that's 'absurd' |publisher=''Baton Rouge Advocate''|date=June 12, 2018|author=Elizabeth Crisp|accessdate=June 13, 2018}}</ref> Kennedy's opposition to Edwards drew the scrutiny of the [[liberal]] ''Baton Rouge Advocate'' newspaper, which claimed the U.S. senator is using his office as "a platform for politically absurd suggestions" and should instead "focus on what is really important to those that elected him. The  U. S. Senate, Kennedy's ostensible workplace, hasn't exactly been a model of accomplishment lately. If the senator is worried about the lack of political leadership these days, he should start by looking into the mirror."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/opinion/our_views/article_86570780-6e7e-11e8-b7ff-23a402c6376d.html|title=Our Views: John Kennedy worried about lack of leadership? He should look into the mirror (commentary)|publisher=''Baton Rouge Advocate''|date=June 12, 2018|accessdate=June 13, 2018}}</ref>

In June 2018, Kennedy even called upon Governor John Bel Edwards to step down from his position and turn the office over to Lieutenant Governor [[Billy Nungesser]], a [[Moderate Republican]], who declined to support Edwards' 2019 Republican opponent, [[Eddie Rispone]]. Kennedy was critical of Edwards' repeated calling of special legislative sessions to obtain more tax increases to close a state budget deficit. Kennedy maintains spending must first be reduced before higher taxes should be considered. Edwards' office called Kennedy's demand "absurd."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/legislature/article_a5197e72-6e5c-11e8-a322-fff7ebf6289f.html|title=Sen. John Kennedy: John Bel Edwards should resign; governor's office says that's 'absurd' |publisher=''Baton Rouge Advocate''|date=June 12, 2018|author=Elizabeth Crisp|accessdate=June 13, 2018}}</ref> Kennedy's opposition to Edwards drew the scrutiny of the [[liberal]] ''Baton Rouge Advocate'' newspaper, which claimed the U.S. senator is using his office as "a platform for politically absurd suggestions" and should instead "focus on what is really important to those that elected him. The  U. S. Senate, Kennedy's ostensible workplace, hasn't exactly been a model of accomplishment lately. If the senator is worried about the lack of political leadership these days, he should start by looking into the mirror."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/opinion/our_views/article_86570780-6e7e-11e8-b7ff-23a402c6376d.html|title=Our Views: John Kennedy worried about lack of leadership? He should look into the mirror (commentary)|publisher=''Baton Rouge Advocate''|date=June 12, 2018|accessdate=June 13, 2018}}</ref>

In August 2018, Kennedy criticized Edwards in regard to criminal justice overhaul. Kennedy said that Edwards advocated a "soft approach" to dangerous prisoners. Kennedy noted that he had warned that early prison releases backed by Edwards would lead to murders: "it was inevitable." Kennedy said that Edwards "just thinks these guys are sick and confused. I think a lot of them are bad." Kennedy sent a letter to President Trump  outlining the senator's opposition to Edwards' criminal justice policies.<ref>{{cite web|url=

In August 2018, Kennedy criticized Edwards in regard to criminal justice overhaul. Kennedy said that Edwards advocated a "soft approach" to dangerous prisoners. Kennedy noted that he had warned that early prison releases backed by Edwards would lead to murders: "it was inevitable." Kennedy said that Edwards "just thinks these guys are sick and confused. I think a lot of them are bad." Kennedy sent a letter to President Trump  outlining the senator's opposition to Edwards' criminal justice policies.<ref>{{cite web|url=

|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|author=[[Greg Hilburn]]||accessdate=September 16, 2018}}</ref>

|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|author=[[Greg Hilburn]]||accessdate=September 16, 2018}}</ref>

Despite his previous criticisms of Governor Edwards, Kennedy announced on December 3, 2018, that he would not run for governor in the nonpartisan blanket primary in 2019, when Edwards will be seeking a second term. For months earlier, Kennedy had been mentioned as a prospective gubernatorial candidate. His decision leaves only the [[Baton Rouge]] Republican businessman [[Eddie Rispone]] and [[U.S. Representative]] [[Ralph Abraham]] of Richland Parish in the race to unseat Edwards.<ref>{{cite web|url=

Despite his previous criticisms of Governor Edwards, Kennedy announced on December 3, 2018, that he would not run for governor in the nonpartisan blanket primary in 2019, when Edwards won his second term. For months earlier, Kennedy had been mentioned as a prospective gubernatorial candidate. His decision leaves only the [[Baton Rouge]] Republican businessman Eddie Rispone and [[U.S. Representative]] [[Ralph Abraham]] of Richland Parish in the race to unseat Edwards.<ref>{{cite web|url=

https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/2018/12/03/breaking-kennedy-wont-run-governor/2189459002/|title=Breaking: Kennedy won't run for governor|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=December 3, 2018}}</ref>

https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/2018/12/03/breaking-kennedy-wont-run-governor/2189459002/|title=Breaking: Kennedy won't run for governor|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=December 3, 2018}}</ref>

==References==

==References==