John F. Kennedy’s lone grandson has officially declared his intention to uphold the family’s political legacy by entering the race for Congress. Jack Schlossberg, aged 32 and the offspring of Caroline Kennedy, made his candidacy known through an email to his supporters. He aims to fill the shoes of long-serving Democrat Jerrold Nadler in New York City’s 12th district.
Nadler, aged 78 and with a 34-year career in office, is stepping down. Schlossberg, known for his significant social media presence with over 1.7 million followers on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, often directs his commentary towards Donald Trump and conservative politics.
In a recent conversation with The New York Times, Schlossberg highlighted that his bold online persona is a strategic move to engage with younger voters in today’s media landscape, which he described as “toxic and polluted.” He emphasized the necessity for Democrats to elect individuals who are adept at both policymaking and leveraging new media platforms.
A graduate of Harvard and Yale, Schlossberg has prior experience working in Congress, the State Department, and alongside his mother during her diplomatic assignments. He expressed pride in carrying on the tradition of public service established by his family, citing inspiration from President Kennedy and his uncle, Ted Kennedy, who had a lengthy tenure in the Senate.
Despite grabbing attention for his provocative online posts, including public disagreements with his relative Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who serves as Trump’s health secretary, Schlossberg believes his viral moments play a role in enhancing political awareness among disengaged voters.
Acknowledging his privileged upbringing, Schlossberg positions himself as a non-traditional Democrat, drawing motivation from grassroots successes like that of Zohran Mamdani, the new mayor of New York. He advocates for the Democratic party to reclaim its identity as the voice of artists, innovators, and counterculture, countering what he perceives as the fear-driven politics of the Trump era.
The competition for Nadler’s congressional seat is anticipated to be intense, with several established political figures in New York already in the running. Nonetheless, the Kennedy name retains significant influence and nostalgia for many voters, symbolizing a family that played a crucial role in shaping American liberalism during the 20th century.
Schlossberg aims to reignite that spirit, stating, “When I envision a Democrat, I see someone challenging the status quo. We’ve drifted from that, and I aim to bring it back.”
