Jack Schlossberg, grandson of the late US President John F. Kennedy, has announced his candidacy for a seat in the US House of Representatives next year. The 12th congressional district, which includes Manhattan's Upper West Side, Upper East Side, and midtown, is set to be vacated by long-serving Democrat Jerry Nadler.
In a campaign video posted on social media, Schlossberg outlined his vision for representing this district, stating that he aims to harness its creativity, energy, and drive to translate into political power in Washington. A self-described Democrat, Schlossberg has built a large following online, frequently weighing in on national issues, including taking aim at his mother's cousin, health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr.
Schlossberg's decision to run comes as Democrats seek to regain control of the House in the 2026 midterm elections and gain legislative clout. He acknowledged that without Congress' control, "there's almost nothing we can do" to address pressing issues such as rising costs of living and corruption.
The young candidate joins a crowded field of contenders vying for the seat, which has drawn attention from both parties. His entry into congressional politics follows the rise of another younger New York millennial, Zohran Mamdani, who was elected mayor of New York City last week. Schlossberg's campaign is set to officially launch on Wednesday.
Schlossberg's candidacy is seen as an opportunity for Democrats to tap into the energy and creativity of a younger generation, particularly in a district that has historically voted Democratic. The 12th congressional district has been represented by Nadler since 1997, making his departure a significant opportunity for change.
With Schlossberg throwing his hat into the ring, the stage is set for an intense campaign season as Democrats look to reclaim the House and restore their legislative influence.
In a campaign video posted on social media, Schlossberg outlined his vision for representing this district, stating that he aims to harness its creativity, energy, and drive to translate into political power in Washington. A self-described Democrat, Schlossberg has built a large following online, frequently weighing in on national issues, including taking aim at his mother's cousin, health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr.
Schlossberg's decision to run comes as Democrats seek to regain control of the House in the 2026 midterm elections and gain legislative clout. He acknowledged that without Congress' control, "there's almost nothing we can do" to address pressing issues such as rising costs of living and corruption.
The young candidate joins a crowded field of contenders vying for the seat, which has drawn attention from both parties. His entry into congressional politics follows the rise of another younger New York millennial, Zohran Mamdani, who was elected mayor of New York City last week. Schlossberg's campaign is set to officially launch on Wednesday.
Schlossberg's candidacy is seen as an opportunity for Democrats to tap into the energy and creativity of a younger generation, particularly in a district that has historically voted Democratic. The 12th congressional district has been represented by Nadler since 1997, making his departure a significant opportunity for change.
With Schlossberg throwing his hat into the ring, the stage is set for an intense campaign season as Democrats look to reclaim the House and restore their legislative influence.
. His fam's history is pretty lit, you know? I mean, his great-granddaddy JFK was a total game-changer, and now he's got the grandkid taking on the gig 
. The fact that he's going after Jerry Nadler's seat is like, super strategic – Nadler's been in there for ages, so whoever takes it is basically setting up for a major shake-up 
. It'll be interesting to see how Schlossberg's online presence translates into real-world politics 
. The fact that he's already got a campaign video out says a lot about his fam's connections and resources 
. I'm curious to see if this young gun can bring some much-needed energy to the House 
!
i mean i know he's got a good chance of winning, but have you seen that campaign video? it's like a modern-day JFK speech 
he's really got the whole creative energy thing going on. reminds me of when obama was first getting started in politics back in 2004... people were all excited about change and hope for america 
anyway, i'm curious to see how this plays out. democrats gotta regroup after that last election 
! it's amazing how he's building a following online already and sharing his thoughts on important issues 
i love that he wants to harness the creativity and energy of the 12th congressional district to make a difference in washington 
let's give this young man some support and cheer him on as he embarks on this incredible journey 
schlossberg's got a rep online, but can he actually get things done in DC? i'm low-key rooting for him tho, 'cause it's about time we see some new blood in gov 
also, zohran mamdani as mayor is pretty cool, we need more millennial leaders like that 
schlossberg's got a tough road ahead of him, but if anyone can do it, it's his fam legacy 
. I'm curious to see how Schlossberg's campaign will unfold - fingers crossed for a progressive agenda and real change 
!