Roger Marshall on his 2026 plans: ‘I have no interest’ in Trump admin appointment
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Marshall said he has a great relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Mehmet Oz.
- Marshall confirmed he will remain on the ballot and seek reelection this fall.
- Marshall said he is ruling out an appointment for at least the next two to three years.
In a Sunday-morning interview, U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas found himself answering questions about his own political future.
During a segment on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” the Republican lawmaker dismissed speculation that an untested 2025 Kansas law could be used to appoint a handpicked GOP replacement to his Senate seat, delaying voters’ opportunity to elect a senator until 2028.
“You are on the ballot this fall, and before I let you go, there are rumors in Kansas that you’re being eyed for a Trump cabinet post,” guest host Ryan Nobles addressed Marshall. “Are you interested in serving in the Trump administration and would you say yes if asked?”
Marshall was unequivocal in his denial.
“There’s no truth to that at all. I have no interest in doing that,” Marshall said. “No one from the Trump administration has approached me over anything like that.
“I’m right where I need to be,” he added. “I’m where God has put me that he’s prepared me for this day. My background as a physician, a fifth-generation farm kid, military experience — all those coming to fruition right now.”
Without Nobles identifying potential administration jobs that the Trump loyalist could be in line for, Marshall volunteered that he has “a great relationship” with two high-ranking administration officials — Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Dr. Mehmet Oz.
“I have a great relationship working with Secretary Kennedy and Dr. Oz. I’m right where we need to be right now,” Marshall reiterated.
U.S. Senate vacancy law
Nobles pressed him about the 2025 law, which establishes a legislative committee tasked with short-listing candidates for the governor to appoint a Senate replacement of the same party as their predecessor.
Under the law, any vacancy that occurs between May 2 and Oct. 2 must be filled by temporary appointment until an election in the next even-year election cycle. Constitutional scholars have cast doubt on whether the Kansas law could withstand a legal challenge if tested.
“If you were to resign before Oct. 2, a Republican replacement would be appointed through 2028,” Nobles said. “That would take the power of picking your replacement out of the hands of voters. Can you tell us today that you’re committed to staying on the ballot through election day?”
Marshall did not dispute the host’s assessment of how such a vacancy scenario would unfold. Instead, he stressed that the 2025 law won’t come into play this year because he plans to stand for reelection.
“I will be on the ballot on Election Day and will be honored to represent the people of Kansas for the next six years going forward,” Marshall said. “It’s been the honor of my lifetime.
“I’ve got work to do on healthcare — lowering the price of healthcare through our price tags bill,” he continued. “I’ve got so much more work to do as United States senator. But America is back and I’m just proud to keep serving in this position.”
Nobles followed up to ask if Marshall was foreclosing the possibility of any future Trump administration appointment.
“I am ruling out any appointment to the Trump administration — at least through the next two or three years,” Marshall said. “Who knows what would happen four years from now, OK?”
Trump, who is serving out his final term in the White House, is slated to leave office in January 2029.
