Scott Jennings, a longtime Republican strategist and one of the few right-leaning voices on CNN, seems to be seriously weighing a run for Kentucky’s soon-to-be-open Senate seat.
“If President Trump asked me to run, I would do it,” Jennings told the New York Post. “His endorsement changes everything.”
He posted a photo on X hinting at some big news, standing and smiling next to the big guy himself.
Something big is coming. Stay tuned pic.twitter.com/wVr6foNWoW
— Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) May 2, 2025
The McConnell Seat in Play
The seat Jennings is eyeing is currently held by Mitch McConnell, who is stepping down from leadership and isn’t expected to seek re-election.
That opens the door to a competitive Republican primary in a deep-red state.
Names like former Attorney General Daniel Cameron and Rep. Andy Barr are already in the mix.
But Jennings brings a different kind of firepower: national visibility, media discipline, and a growing conservative fanbase.
From Cable News to Capitol Hill?
Yes, Jennings is a CNN regular—but don’t mistake him for a moderate.
He’s one of the network’s few consistent conservative voices.
Week after week, he holds his own against liberal panelists, pushing back against bias and defending Republican principles.
That’s earned him respect across the conservative movement—and, it seems, from Trump himself.
Early in April, Jennings received the “Courage Under Fire” award from Citizen Outreach at its annual Conservative Awards Dinner in Las Vegas.
The crowd gave him a standing ovation.
Not bad for someone once dismissed as just a commentator.
Why the Trump Factor Still Matters
Jennings isn’t shy about why he wants Trump’s endorsement: it wins elections.
A recent Pew poll found that two-thirds of Republican voters are more likely to back a candidate Trump supports.
In Kentucky—a state Trump carried by over 25 points—that endorsement could be the difference between winning and watching from the sidelines.
What makes Jennings especially interesting is his ability to bridge the GOP’s divide. He’s got ties to the old guard but speaks directly to the MAGA base.
That combination is rare—and valuable.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
