An unknown Democratic strategist started a social media account joking that his party was running enthusiasts to win. Now she’s getting serious.
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?
Jack Schlossberg, John F. Kennedy’s grandson, fired off a flirtatious fundraising text on Valentine’s Day to persuade potential donors to his New York City Council campaign, suggesting someone would be a good partner.
“Valentine’s Day feels like the perfect time to talk about this…” the message read, along with an attached image from an anonymous social media account.
The colorful graphic was created by Boyfriends We Deserve, the pet project of Monica Wenske, a little-known Democratic strategist who champions attractive political candidates and enjoys a loyal following in Washington.
“A good boyfriend is someone who listens. A good lawmaker is no different,” Schlossberg’s team told supporters in a text message.
As Mr. Wenzke, 28, looks to regain broad support in November, he wants his party to embrace politically promising men who can properly bench press, as well as women who are objectively beautiful.
Wenzke told USA TODAY that he sees a unique opportunity to “try to make being a Democrat sexy again,” demonstrating that people can be “hypermasculine and also think that people should have health care.”
A rising star in the Democratic Party? “We’re trying to bring attention to people who deserve attention.”
Wenzke, who grew up in the Washington, D.C., area during the Obama administration, had a front row seat to history. After graduating from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, she found her seat at the political table. She followed the traditional path for a wide-eyed politician, first working on Kamala Harris’ 2020 presidential bid, then Joe Biden’s winning campaign that year.
Mr. Wenzke began his career in political communications with the New Hampshire Democratic Party before joining American Bridge 21st Century, an opposition research group, as a press secretary and later being promoted to director of communications for the organization’s House of Representatives.
But in September, she jokingly launched “Boyfriends We Deserve” on social media to support political candidates with well-groomed hair and backgrounds. Her supporters include Scranton, Pennsylvania, Mayor Paige Cognetti, Montana union leader Smokejumper Sam Forstag, and Tejano singer-turned-congressional candidate Bobby Pulido.
The name “Boyfriends We Deserve” was borrowed from David Hogg’s similarly named and controversial fundraising group “Leaders We Deserve,” which frustrated party insiders after gun control activists sought to unseat a Democratic incumbent in 2025.
“I would love to do that one day,” Wenzke said of his future ambitions. “But for now, I’m just thinking about the 2026 cycle at least and trying to bring attention to the people who deserve it.”
“She knows stuff like that…suburban mom hot stuff going on.”
Wenzke captured a common theme in the wake of the 2024 election contested between former Vice President Kamala Harris and current President Donald Trump. It’s about what and who is considered “normal” or “cool.”
As Ms. Harris’ campaign courted A-list celebrities, each campaign tried to maintain its composure by labeling Ms. Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Mr. Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance as “weirdos.” Trump similarly appeared on a popular podcast hosted by a celebrity, seeking support from young male voters.
In Washington, “cool” also means “hot” for Mr. Wenzke, and he has added more names to the list of candidates that will impress D.C. strategists.
Wenzke’s other picks include Bernard Taylor, a muscular TikTok-famous paramedic running for Congress in Florida, red-haired U.S. Senate candidate Mallory McMorrow and bearded House candidate Kyle Blomquist in Michigan. Iowa gubernatorial candidate Rob Sund (a state auditor who eats gas station pizza while bow hunting) and Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Chris Taylor are also on her list of favorites.
“She’s got this suburban mom hot thing going on,” Wenzke said of Judge Taylor.
The sultry trend is gaining momentum. A viral article in Bulwark magazine recently explored liberals’ “thirst trap around think tanks.” “It’s easy to select attractive people,” said Yemisi Egbewole, a former chief of staff in the Biden White House press office.
“America is a superficial country and we want our politicians to be attractive and look good, especially those who represent us on the international stage as the world’s number one power,” Egbewole continued. Experts say research shows that while the glamor trend in politics raises eyebrows, it does not significantly sway voters’ opinions.
Mary-Kate Risotto, a political science professor at Augusta University, said a candidate’s attractiveness is “certainly not one of the most important things” voters consider at the polls.
“I definitely don’t think that’s one of the biggest reasons someone gets voted out,” Risotto said, noting that “generally, it’s all about political party.”
Rizzotto said that while appearance can be a factor in swaying voters’ opinions during the primary, voters’ main concern is usually who they think will win in the general election.
If voters have pre-existing sexist beliefs, “female candidates will have an even harder time dealing with the role of appearance,” she said.
“Democrats could use the fun side again.”
Other Democrats are considering their outward appearance in 2026.
“I want a hot president,” Bravo star-turned-host of the podcast “I’ve Had It” Jennifer Welch said of Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff. So did Fox News’ “The Five,” where Jesse Watters said he believes Kamala Harris is not “attractive.” In early February, Vogue magazine called California Governor Gavin Newsom “embarrassingly handsome.”
Mr. Wenzke views Mr. Newsom as an early adopter of politically heated campaigns. “He takes advantage of that, posting thirst traps, posting things like old photos of himself,” Wenzke said, noting that she believes his focus on his appearance makes him seem more like a 2028 prospect.
“I think Democrats could tap into the fun side again,” she said, pointing to former President Barack Obama as a blueprint. President Obama recently teamed up with NBA All-Star Anthony Edwards to squash a fake beef while promoting the Obama Presidential Center, which opens June 19 in Chicago.
Wenzke said no one can be “more than a doer,” but he feels the presidency is more accessible to ordinary Americans because no other Democratic politician has embraced fun as much as Obama.
At the end of each calendar year, President Obama releases a list of his favorite works spanning literature, film, and music. His 2025 selections included Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners,” Grammy breakout star Olivia Dean’s “Nice to Each Other,” and his wife Michelle Obama’s book “The Look.” President Obama’s March Madness saw the Arizona Wildcats’ men’s team defeat the Duke Blue Devils (who had already caused an upset) and the UW women’s team a clean sweep.
Wenzke hopes it’s time for other Democrats to be released as well. “I don’t think my account with 2,000 followers is going to be the future of elections, but…I thought this was interesting so I tried it and it was a lot of fun,” she said.
(This article has been updated with new information. )
