In January 2000, Jenkins retired from the Louisiana House after twenty-eight years in office. In 2002, Suzanne Terrell was a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, matched against Landrieu, in a race that also included U.S. Representative John Cooksey of Monroe and State Representative Tony Perkins of Baton Rouge, Jenkins' 1996 campaign manager in the Senate race against Landrieu. Jenkins endorsed Perkins in the primary. In the runoff between Terrell and Landrieu, Jenkins endorsed Terrell, but Landrieu was elected to her second term.