In 2016, Boakai announced his intention to run for the Liberian presidency in the 2017 general election. He is viewed by many as a safe and uncorrupt candidate.[2] He faced Senator and football star George Weah in the second round, but lost the round to Weah.
Boakai ran for president again in 2023 facing Weah again in a rematch, this time narrowly winning.[3]