Kennedy heir Jack Schlossberg weighs bid for Nadler’s seat in Manhattan

Jack Schlossberg, the 32-year-old grandson of John F. Kennedy Jr., is weighing a bid for New York’s 12th Congressional District, potentially challenging Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler’s Upper West Side seat after Nadler announced he would not seek re-election in 2026. People familiar with the matter say Schlossberg has formed an exploratory committee but has not filed to run.

Schlossberg has told social media followers he set up an exploratory committee, but he has delayed a formal announcement, saying he would wait until after the mayoral election stage. "He’s waiting until after the mayoral election before he makes it official," one Democratic insider said. The development comes as Democrats in New York City's high-profile, four-way mayoral race compete for attention and votes. Political strategist Hank Sheinkopf described the plan as "a smart move," arguing it could help Schlossberg avoid being pressured into taking stands in a race he might not want to back publicly.

Schlossberg has been active in public-facing ways: he interviewed U.S. Senate Chuck Schumer on his YouTube show Test Drive, and Schumer appointed him to the America 250 Commission, which is planning events for the U.S. 250th anniversary in 2026. He hosts "Test Drive Live" from his van, interviewing political leaders, including Schumer. In September, he asked his more than 707,000 Instagram followers if he should run for political office; more than 90 percent answered yes and 30,700 responded to the poll, according to the post. Schlossberg, whose full name is John Bouvier Kennedy Schlossberg, graduated from both Harvard Law School and Harvard Business School in 2022.

[Image: Schlossberg collage]

Assembly Member Micah Lasher has been an aide to former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and is a protege of Nadler, who is backing him for his Congressional seat. Lasher, born and raised on the Upper West Side, has 675 followers on Instagram. Nadler’s camp has signaled Lasher as the favored candidate, while others such as Erik Bottcher, Keith Powers, and Alex Bores have also expressed interest in the seat. Chelsea Clinton had been floated as a potential candidate but has since said she is not interested in running, according to local reporting.

On the question of public service experience, Nadler has previously dismissed Schlossberg as a serious candidate, saying he lacks formal public-sector background. A party insider who is close to the Kennedy scion, however, suggested that a younger candidate with name recognition could still resonate with voters who want change. "If I were Jack, I would think that means he could win," the insider said, noting Nadler’s comment could be read as a challenge or a vote of confidence in Schlossberg’s potential appeal. "Besides that, he’s unlike any other Kennedy. He’s trying to find himself and that resonates with voters and is humanizing."

Schlossberg has often taken aim at his cousin, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and has used his online presence to push a confrontational, message-driven stance. He has posted unvarnished critiques of the political establishment and has been willing to cross into provocative territory, including mocking his late grandmother, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, in online posts. Some followers have urged him to seek professional help after posts that critics labeled as reckless or erratic. Still, supporters argue his willingness to embrace headline-making moments could mobilize younger voters.

In addition to his media work, Schlossberg has accompanied his mother, Caroline Kennedy, on official engagements, including meeting Prince William in Boston in 2023. He has spoken publicly about needing a different approach for Democrats to reclaim ground in national discourse, suggesting the party must craft a message that resonates more clearly with voters rather than relying on traditional channels alone. Earlier this year, he interviewed Schumer on his YouTube program and was named to the America 250 Commission by the Senate majority leader, a post that aligns him with a bipartisan commemorative effort ahead of 2026.

The Democratic primary for Nadler’s seat is expected to be heated, with Lasher positioned as the leading name backed by Nadler, while other potential contenders weigh their options. Nadler’s own leadership within the party and his long tenure in Congress have created a backdrop that makes Schlossberg’s potential bid both intriguing and controversial: a member of the Kennedy family seeking a seat long associated with Democratic establishment influence on the Upper West Side.

The Kennedy legacy is a double-edged sword in today’s political climate. Some observers say Schlossberg’s energy and lineage could energize a segment of voters seeking change; others worry that his lack of direct public service experience could undermine him in a district that values policy depth and track record. As the 2026 primary looms, Schlossberg’s next moves — including whether to formalize a campaign before or after the mayoral contest — will shape one of New York City’s most watched congressional contests. The district’s voters will decide whether the Kennedy stamp remains a powerful brand in local politics or if broader experience and established political machinery will win the day.

[Image: Schumer appointing Schlossberg]