Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, declared his candidacy for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday. Schlossberg, a Democrat, is fiercely committed to keeping New York’s 12th District blue. This congressional district spans popular areas, including Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Upper East Side and part of Midtown. Longtime Congressman Jerry Nadler, who has represented this seat since 1992, will soon retire. He’s been a true blue Democratic bulwark in the very Republican-dominated region.
Schlossberg’s candidacy comes at an important time for the Democratic Party. For context, Democratic legislators are hoping to flip the House back in the 2026 midterm elections. “Our party can address the issues of rising costs, corruption, and our current constitutional crisis,” Schlossberg announced in a New York Times op-ed. We have the creativity and persistence to turn the tide. He lamented a lack of understanding among voters about the importance of having a strong representative in Congress. He continued, “Without control of Congress, we can do very little.”
The young political hopeful has already received major national news attention with his bold, energetic social media campaign. Schlossberg often speaks candidly about national issues on social media, generating a grassroots following that would be a powerful asset in his campaign. His activity on these platforms has helped him become an acute defined voice among younger Democrats.
In his campaign for the House seat, Schlossberg is taking aim at Robert F. Kennedy Jr. He’s taking aim at his maternal cousin, who is health secretary of the state. This very public position further showcases the ideological chasms in the Kennedy family legacy. It creates the potential for a really interesting campaign dynamic.
Schlossberg’s campaign launch begins on Wednesday morning! This is your chance to hear directly from him, get his vision for the district, and learn how he plans to address our most pressing issues. In a campaign video, he expressed his commitment to representing the 12th District effectively: “This district should have a representative who can harness the creativity, energy and drive of this district and translate that into political power in Washington.”
Schlossberg is a welcome addition and fierce challenger to the political establishment. He joins a vibrant crop of progressive, young New York politicians similarly sprinting towards the corridors of public office. As of last week, Zohran Mamdani, 34, is the new New York City mayor. Indeed, his election serves as a powerful signal of the Democratic Party’s shift toward a younger, more progressive leadership.