JFK’s grandson, Jack Schlossberg, launches 2026 US Congress bid from New York
Schlossberg, who has more than 1.5 million followers on TikTok and Instagram, is also a political commentator and writer whose work has been published in such news outlets as The Washington Post, Politico, and Time magazine.
November 12, 2025 09:14 PM IST
First published on: Nov 12, 2025 at 09:10 PM IST
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Jack Schlossberg arrives at the JFK Library, on May 4, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)
Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of the former US President, John F Kennedy, on Tuesday night announced his plans to join the 2026 election race. Schlossberg, a Democratic influencer, said he will join the primary race for the Manhattan seat, referred to as New York 12, in the US House of Representatives, being vacated by Jerry Nadler, who will be retiring at the end of his term next year.
JFK’s grandson joins Democratic primary for 2026
“I’m not running because I have all the answers to our problems,” he said in a video announcement. “I’m running because the people of New York 12 do. I want to listen to your struggles, hear your stories, amplify your voice, go to Washington and execute on your behalf.”
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A Yale- and Harvard-educated lawyer, Schlossberg made a name for himself with his work on climate and voting-rights causes.
According to his campaign, Schlossberg “has spoken across the country as a surrogate for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris,” as well as speaking at the most recent Democratic National Convention.
Jack Schlossberg made a name for himself with his work on climate and voting-rights causes. (Photo: Reuters)
Jack Schlossberg hits out at Trump
A critic of his uncle, Robert F. Kennedy Jr, who is currently serving as the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, Schlossberg also took a shot at President Donald Trump, who has insinuated that he could run for a third term in 2028.
“We deserve better, and we can do better, and it starts with the Democratic Party winning back control of the House of Representatives,” he said. “With control of Congress, there’s nothing we can’t do. Without it, we’re helpless to a third term.”
Schlossberg cited historic cuts to social programmes, including health care, education and child care under the Trump administration and stressed the importance of Democrats retaking control of Congress.
“It’s a crisis at every level”, Schlossberg said. “It’s a constitutional crisis with one dangerous man in control of all three branches of government. “He’s stripping citizens of their civil rights and silencing his critics.”
Who is Jack Schlossberg?
Schlossberg is the son of JFK’s daughter and former diplomat Caroline Kennedy and the designer-artist Edwin Schlossberg.
Caroline Kennedy and Edwin Schlossberg arrive at the 2023 JFK Profile in Courage Awards with children Tatiana and Jack. (Photo: AP)
The only grandson of JFK, who was assassinated in 1963, Schlossberg grabbed a moment in the Democratic spotlight at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where he gave a speech endorsing then-Vice President Kamala Harris in her bid for president.
Beyond Kennedy legacy
Schlossberg, who has more than 1.5 million followers on TikTok and Instagram, is also a political commentator and writer whose work has been published in news outlets such as The Washington Post, Politico, and Time magazine.
His entry into politics comes at a time when the Democratic Party is trying to build on its momentum from the recent election wins ahead of the crucial midterms in 2026.
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Jack Schlossberg arrives at the JFK Library, on May 4, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File) 
