Jack Schlossberg Announces Run for New York's 12th Congressional District
The 32-year-old grandson of President John F. Kennedy enters the race for the seat held by retiring Rep. Jerrold Nadler.
Jack Schlossberg, the 32-year-old grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, has announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in New York's 12th Congressional District. He is seeking the seat currently held by Representative Jerrold Nadler, a Democrat who confirmed his retirement in September after more than 30 years in office. Schlossberg is running as a Democrat.
Candidacy and Motivation
Schlossberg announced his candidacy in November. In a statement to the New York Times, he said the Democratic Party needed more individuals to "push back on perceived abuses of power by President Trump and his allies."
In his candidacy announcement video, Schlossberg stated he was running to represent the district where he was born and raised, describing it as the "financial and media capital of the world" and arguing it should have a representative who can leverage its creativity and energy into political influence in Washington.
Endorsement and Political Support
Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi plans to endorse Schlossberg.
This information was shared by a source familiar with the matter to NBC News, following an initial report by The New York Times.
Primary Race
Schlossberg will participate in a Democratic primary scheduled for June. Other candidates in the race include:
- State Assemblymember Micah Lasher
- State Assemblymember Alex Bores
- Conservative lawyer and Trump critic George Conway, also running as a Democrat
Background and Online Presence
Schlossberg has a combined following of nearly two million across Instagram and TikTok. In 2024, Vogue magazine appointed him as a political correspondent ahead of the U.S. election.
He told Vogue that his family's legacy of public service served as an inspiration and that he wished to contribute "in my own way." He also cited his grandfather, John F. Kennedy, as a hero, describing JFK's administration as "a blueprint for how progressivism can work in America."
Schlossberg is a cousin of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom he has publicly criticized.
District Information
New York's 12th congressional district encompasses the central area of Manhattan, including Central Park.