The Kennedy family has been prominent in U.S. politics for generations. But now, for the first time, a direct descendant of President John F. Kennedy may be elected to public office. JFK’s grandson is stepping into the political arena, bringing an outspoken and internet-savvy perspective and a strong opposition to the Trump administration, including a cousin.
Schlossberg attempts to take his fight against Trump and RFK Jr. to Congress
Jack Schlossberg, the son of Caroline Kennedy and Edwin Schlossberg, told supporters Tuesday that he is launching a campaign for the House of Representatives. Schlossberg is seeking to replace retiring Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler in New York’s 12th Congressional District, which covers parts of Manhattan.
In a video shared to social media, Schlossberg talked about his desire to represent the district “where I was born and raised, where I took the bus to school every single day from one side of the district to the other.” He also framed his campaign in national terms, saying that the United States faced “a crisis at every level,” blaming the high cost of living and corruption on “one dangerous man in control of all three branches of government.” He presented his run as an attempt by Democrats to retake the House of Representatives. “With control of Congress, there’s nothing we can’t do. Without it, we’re helpless to a third term” of Republican control, Schlossberg argued.
The race for the 12th District is the first electoral campaign for Schlossberg or any direct descendant of President Kennedy, but it builds upon years of political activity for Schlossberg. He has written about politics for several major publications, including covering the 2024 presidential race for Vogue. He built a large following on social media, especially on Instagram and TikTok. This social media presence has included criticisms of the Trump administration, including Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Schlossberg’s first cousin once removed.
“RFK LOSER IS A THREAT TO PUBLIC HEALTH and AMERICAN SCIENTIFIC LEADERSHIP. WHO PLEASURES HIMSELF by lying to Congress,” Schlossberg tweeted in September.
Renewing the Kennedy family legacy
The Kennedy family has been a political mainstay for generations. Patriarch Joseph Kennedy Sr. served various roles in the Roosevelt administration, and three of his sons, John, Robert and Edward, would go on to serve in the Senate. John F. Kennedy’s stint as a Massachusetts senator served as a springboard for being elected president of the United States in 1960, an office he held until his 1963 assassination. As president, Kennedy appointed his brother, Robert F. Kennedy, as attorney general. RFK later served as a New York senator, and his presidential run was cut short when he was assassinated in 1968.
The Kennedy brand has had a mixed political record in more recent times. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s controversial role in the Trump administration has led to a public split with several members of his famous family, with Schlossberg’s criticisms echoing those of his mother and other family members. Within Democratic circles, the Kennedy connection does not guarantee victory; Joe Kennedy III, a grandson of Robert, served as a Massachusetts congressman but lost his bid to unseat incumbent Democratic Sen. Ed Markey. For Schlossberg to win, he would have to outcompete Assemblyman Micah Lasher, who has entered the race with Nadler’s likely backing, as well as a potentially large field of other Democratic hopefuls. New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani may play a role in swaying the race. Schlossberg was an early and vocal Mamdani supporter, and he hasn’t yet endorsed a candidate for the 12th District race.
The Kennedy family has historically been a significant force of political liberalism and Democratic politics, though that status has declined in recent years. Now, the grandson of the most prominent Kennedy is looking to continue that legacy. Schlossberg will have to make a case for himself as the best person to represent the 12th District and to help stand up to Trump.