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Kennedy heir enters race for New York congressional seat
Jack Schlossberg, the 32-year-old grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday, aiming to succeed retiring Democrat Jerrold Nadler in New York's 12th district.
Political ambitions rooted in family legacy
Schlossberg, the son of Caroline Kennedy, cited his grandfather's administration as a "blueprint for how progressivism can work in America" in a 2024 interview with Vogue, where he served as a political correspondent. His campaign website frames the race as a generational shift, listing "12 promises to the people of New York's 12th district" and warning, "This is our last chance to stop Trump-it won't come again."
Known for his sharp online commentary-amassing nearly 2 million followers across Instagram and TikTok-Schlossberg has positioned himself as a bridge to younger voters. His 2024 Vogue profile highlighted his "silly goose" digital persona, which he leveraged to demystify politics ahead of the U.S. election.
Focus on Trump opposition and Democratic control
In a Tuesday interview with The New York Times, Schlossberg emphasized the need for Democrats to "push back on perceived abuses of power by President Trump and his allies." He argued that regaining House control in the 2026 midterms is critical to addressing living costs, corruption, and what he called a "constitutional crisis."
"There is nothing our party can't do to address costs of living, corruption and the constitutional crisis that we're in," he told the Times. "But without the control of Congress, there's almost nothing that we can do."
Crowded Democratic primary
Schlossberg joins a field that includes state assemblymen Micah Lasher and Alex Bores, as well as journalist Jami Floyd. His campaign launch follows months of speculation, during which he hinted at a run for Nadler's seat, vacated after 30 years. Notably, fellow millennial and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has yet to endorse any candidate in the primary.
Family divisions and fundraising push
Despite his Kennedy lineage, Schlossberg has publicly clashed with estranged cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the controversial U.S. health secretary, whom he has labeled a "loser." Within hours of his announcement, Schlossberg mobilized supporters via social media, sharing donation links and urging contributions to "win."
