JFK’s grandson is running for Congress. Who is Jack Schlossberg?
JFK’s grandson is running for Congress. Who is Democratic social media star Jack Schlossberg?
- Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has endorsed Jack Schlossberg for the New York City House seat.
- Mr. Schlossberg, the grandson of President John F. Kennedy, is running to replace retiring Congressman Jerry Nadler.
- Pelosi praised Schlossberg as a leader who can serve the people and help Democrats regain the House majority.
- Schlossberg announced his candidacy for New York’s 12th Congressional District in November.
Mr. Schlossberg announced his support for President John F. Kennedy’s grandson, Jack Schlossberg, in the intense race for a seat in the New York City House of Representatives.
After days of speculation, the Honorable Speaker is endorsing Schlossberg, the candidate said in a Feb. 10 post about X that expressed Pelosi’s long support.
“Speaker Pelosi is a national hero and an outstanding lawmaker. I am proud to have her support. She is the backbone of the Democratic Party. No one understands Congress like she does,” Schlossberg wrote. “I sat down with her and talked about NY12’s campaign and policy plans. She believes we can win.”
Pelosi said in a statement that she was proud to support Schlossberg.
“This is a critical moment for this country. Trust in our politics has been shattered and trust in our government has been weakened. This moment demands leaders who understand the stakes and how to serve our people,” Pelosi said. “Jack Schlossberg is that kind of leader. He’s a candidate for Congress that we’re all excited about and someone I’m proud to support.”
Schlossberg announced his candidacy in November and is seeking to replace retiring New York State Representative Jerry Nadler. Mr. Schlossberg, the only son of Caroline Kennedy, will serve parts of New York City if elected to succeed Mr. Nadler, the former chairman of the influential House Judiciary Committee, which currently represents New York’s 12th Congressional District.
Nadler is backing his former aide, Democratic New York Congressman Mika Lasher, to succeed him. Nadler said in a Feb. 9 video posted to X that Lasher is “better than the other players in every way.”
Mr. Schlossberg is also an estranged cousin of Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a key ally of President Donald Trump. Schlossberg urged RFK Jr. to resign over his long history of promoting health misinformation and called his cousin a “threat to public health and America’s scientific leadership.”
Pelosi says Schlossberg is ‘the best representative of his generation’
Pelosi, who announced in a statement on February 10 that she would step down from her seat in Congress in January 2027, said Schlossberg represents “the best of my generation” and is smart, creative and driven.
Pelosi became the first woman to become Speaker of the House in 2007. The Democrat, who has led Democrats in the House for 20 years, added that a victory could help Democrats regain the House majority. Republicans currently hold a slim majority of 218 to 214. There are 3 empty seats.
“He has a deep sense of duty and a love for New York City and the 12th Ward where he grew up,” Pelosi said. “Jack is not only campaigning for Congress, he is reminding us of America’s Greatest Generation, once again calling us to public service and charting a new path forward.
“He’s connecting with people in new ways that really matter, so his candidacy will help Democrats win nationally and help flip the House,” Pelosi continued.
Pelosi says Schlossberg has the ability to bring all sides to the table
Pelosi praised Schlossberg, saying she understands that progress is not an abstract concept.
“I announced concrete policies to address the local challenges facing my district, including cost-cutting plans for grocery stores and families, housing policy, security measures for houses of worship, and tackling the flow of illegal guns at the federal level,” Pelosi said.
Pelosi said Schlossberg has the “grit and persuasion” to get policy passed in Congress and has “the ability to bring all sides to the table.”
Former House speaker says the country’s future depends on a new generation of leaders
Pelosi added that Schlossberg represents a new generation of leaders who bring “dynamic energy and optimism” and are “willing to do the hard work” to turn values into results.
“Jack has a unique ability to move between the digital world and the world of classic politics in a way that gets things done for people and holds President Trump accountable,” Pelosi said. “Those skills are very important right now, but they’re also very rare.”
