Kennedy Heir Jack Schlossberg Enters Final Stretch of NY-12 Primary Campaign
With just two days until New York's 12th Congressional District Democratic primary, Jack Schlossberg, the 33-year-old grandson of President John F. Kennedy, is making a final push to turn his unorthodox, internet-fueled campaign into a victory. On Friday, Schlossberg held a rally at Manhattan's Terminal 5, a venue better known for electronic music and crowded dance floors than political speeches. The event featured housing activists, union representatives, and a surprise appearance from David Letterman, a family friend since Schlossberg was 16. Hundreds of district residents and Columbia students attended, sheltering from a sudden thunderstorm to hear the candidate deliver a stark message: "Vote for Jack, because the other guys are worse, and, hey, it would certainly upset Republicans."
The rally came just days after Schlossberg's mother, Caroline Kennedy, issued a rare public statement of support. In a video shared on Schlossberg's Instagram, the former U.S. ambassador to Japan and Australia said: "I've been around politics for almost 70 years, but I can tell who's in it for the right reasons. That's why I'm so proud of my son, Jack. And I know that both my parents and his Uncle Teddy would be too, because Jack is fighting for healthcare, civil rights, and public service with the same courage they did." The endorsement, captioned by Schlossberg as "The greatest of all time," is a significant boost in a race where family legacy has both helped and hurt.
The primary election on June 23 will determine the Democratic nominee for New York's 12th Congressional District, a heavily Democratic, affluent swath of Manhattan that includes Chelsea, the Upper West Side, the Upper East Side, and Central Park. The district is currently represented by Jerry Nadler, who is retiring, leaving an open seat that has attracted a crowded field. Schlossberg's main opponents are Micah Lasher and Alex Bores, both of whom have more traditional political experience—Lasher as a former state assembly staffer and Bores as a sitting state assembly member—and have raised significant sums, including millions in Super PAC money.
The Unconventional Campaign of a Shirtless, Skateboarding Kennedy
Jack Schlossberg is not a traditional candidate. He has no previous elected office experience, holds a Harvard MBA and a law degree, and has built a massive social media following by posting shirtless "thirst traps" and unhinged videos of himself reciting Lord Byron on a skateboard or tearing apart a coconut with his bare hands. His online persona has earned him a reputation as a "shitposter," but it has also helped him connect with younger voters who feel disconnected from conventional politics. In an interview with his doorman, Mike Pefanis, published by Interview Magazine, Schlossberg argued that his digital fluency is a strength in 2026: "The rule book has changed. I would be a great congressperson to address three crises—cost, constitutional, and corruption—because I got more plans than anyone else running."
Schlossberg has also positioned himself as a crusader against money in politics, proudly noting that his campaign has accepted no Super PAC money, while his opponents have taken in more than $5 million from such outside groups. This message has resonated with voters tired of big-money influence, and it echoes the grassroots, anti-establishment energy that fueled recent progressive wins in New York, such as Zohran Mamdani's mayoral campaign. However, Schlossberg's campaign has faced criticism for being disorganized, with reports of high staff turnover and a rally that promised free food but failed to deliver.
Schlossberg's family legacy is both a blessing and a curse. As the grandson of President John F. Kennedy and the son of Caroline Kennedy, he carries a weighty political name that opens doors and generates media attention. But his cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is a polarizing figure who served in the Trump administration and defunded cancer research—a move Schlossberg aggressively criticized. Schlossberg's sister, Tatiana, who died last year from leukemia, wrote a powerful essay in the New Yorker calling out RFK Jr. before her death. The family's recent personal tragedy—Caroline Kennedy and her husband Ed Schlossberg have moved in with their son-in-law to help raise Tatiana's two young children—has also humanized the candidate, casting him as a figure shaped by grief and duty.
What a Schlossberg Win Would Mean for the Future of Politics
If Jack Schlossberg wins the Democratic primary on June 23, he would be heavily favored to win the general election in November, given the deep blue nature of NY-12. A victory would install a 33-year-old political novice in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing one of the wealthiest districts in the country. It would also send a message that digital native politicians—unapologetically online, informal, and anti-establishment—can win at the congressional level.
Schlossberg's candidacy reflects broader trends in American politics: the erosion of traditional gatekeepers, the rise of candidate-driven social media campaigns, and the increasing importance of celebrity and family name recognition. Yet his campaign also underscores the risks of amateurism, as his lack of experience and organizational hiccups have drawn criticism even from supporters. The race remains too close to call, with polls showing Schlossberg and Lasher neck-and-neck.
Beyond the district, Schlossberg's campaign is being watched as a test of whether the Kennedy brand can still sell in an era of deep partisan polarization and voter cynicism. If he wins, it could inspire a new wave of young, internet-savvy candidates with famous last names. If he loses, it may confirm that even a famous surname cannot overcome a lack of political chops. For now, all eyes are on Manhattan as voters head to the polls to decide whether Jack Schlossberg—the shirtless, skateboarding, coconut-breaking Kennedy—is the future of the Democratic Party.
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