“I try to speak plainly so that my constituents who don't follow the nuances of government like I do, because they're too busy earning a real living, can understand the issues before me. None of this stuff is brain surgery.”

American politician and attorney

John Neely Kennedy is an American politician and attorney who has served as the junior United States senator from Louisiana since 2017. A Republican, he has held public office in Louisiana for much of his career and is known for his long record in state government. Before entering the Senate, Kennedy served as Louisiana state treasurer from 2000 to 2017. He was secretary of the Louisiana Department of Revenue from 1996 to 1999, and earlier worked as special counsel and later as a cabinet member to Governor Buddy Roemer from 1988 to 1992.