Jack Schlossberg’s first bid for public office has ended in defeat in a closely watched race. The grandson of President John F. Kennedy fell short in New York’s Democratic primary. His run attracted national attention because of his famous family name, but voters ultimately chose a different candidate to represent the party in one of Manhattan’s safest Democratic districts.
JFK’s grandson Jack Schlossberg loses his debut election
Micah Lasher emerged as the winner of the Democratic primary for New York’s 12th Congressional District on June 23. Lasher secured the nomination in a crowded field that included Jack Schlossberg, Alex Bores, George Conway, and Nina Schwalbe. With the district heavily favoring Democrats, Lasher now enters the November general election as the clear favorite (via PEOPLE).
Schlossberg launched his campaign last November and positioned himself as an outsider challenging the Democratic establishment. The 33-year-old frequently referred to himself as “No-PAC Jack,” emphasizing grassroots support and independence from major political action committees. His campaign slogan, “Believe in Something Again,” aimed to connect with voters looking for a fresh voice in Washington.
Despite strong name recognition and endorsements from figures, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and his mother, Caroline Kennedy, Schlossberg struggled to gain momentum against better-funded rivals.
The race became one of New York’s most expensive House primaries in recent memory. Outside groups poured huge amounts into the contest, particularly around debates over artificial intelligence regulation. While Schlossberg received extensive media coverage, much of the campaign spending focused on boosting Lasher and fellow frontrunner Bores. Every major Democratic candidate pledged to challenge President Donald Trump’s agenda, but AI policy unexpectedly became one of the defining issues of the race.
Schlossberg’s campaign was also shaped by personal tragedy. Shortly after he entered the race, his older sister Tatiana Kennedy Schlossberg died at age 35 after battling terminal cancer. Her death became a powerful source of motivation throughout his campaign. Recalling one of their final conversations, Schlossberg said, “The last thing that she said to me was, ‘You better win.’” In another interview, he said he was “fighting for her” every day on the campaign trail.
Originally reported by Rishabh Shandilya on Mandatory.
