JFK's Grandson Jack Schlossberg Loses Congressional Race in New York
Jack Schlossberg's bid to bring the Kennedy name back into elected office is over — at least for now.
The 33-year-old grandson of President John F. Kennedy finished third Tuesday in the Democratic primary for New York's 12th Congressional District, capturing just 10.7% of the vote in a race he once led in the polls. New York State Assemblyman Micah Lasher won the race with 39% of the vote, followed by fellow Assemblyman Alex Bores at 35%.
The seat, which covers Manhattan's Upper East and Upper West sides, Midtown and Chelsea, was opened when Rep. Jerry Nadler — who held it for more than 30 years — announced his retirement in September.
How the Race Unfolded
Schlossberg entered the race with instant name recognition, a social media following and a coveted endorsement from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. A March poll showed him leading the field with 25% support. By May, he had slipped to third.
His campaign struggled to translate his family's legacy into the kind of local political support that ultimately proved decisive. Lasher, a former aide to both Nadler and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, built a formidable ground operation backed by labor unions, elected officials and Democratic organizations throughout the district. Nadler endorsed Lasher directly, a significant signal to voters in the neighborhoods he represented for decades.
Schlossberg, who holds a joint law and business degree and previously worked as a political journalist for Vogue, was widely seen as a candidate with strong name recognition but limited political experience in the district.
The AI Money That Reshaped the Race
The NY-12 primary evolved into one of the most expensive House races in New York state history, with at least $26 million in television ad spending. Super PACs backed by rival tech firms — including groups tied to OpenAI investors — poured money into the contest, turning it into an unlikely proxy war over artificial intelligence policy.
The spending intensified after Bores, a state assemblyman, shepherded a high-profile AI regulatory bill through the state legislature. His RAISE Act established new safety standards for AI developers in New York, which Gov. Hochul signed into law in December 2025. OpenAI-aligned groups targeted Bores heavily in the final stretch, but the spending ultimately failed to knock him out of second place.
The field also included attorney and prominent Trump critic George Conway, nonprofit executive Nina Schwalbe and several other candidates, all of whom finished well behind the top three.
Schlossberg's Concession
Schlossberg addressed supporters at a watch party Tuesday night and did not go quietly. He called on Democrats to recruit and support candidates willing to speak plainly about issues that matter to voters.
"We need candidates who are willing to speak plainly about the cost of living," he told the crowd, framing his defeat in broader terms about the direction of the Democratic Party.
Lasher is heavily favored to win the seat in November's general election. Republicans are rarely competitive in the Manhattan-based district, meaning Tuesday's primary was effectively the decisive contest.
Who Is Jack Schlossberg
Schlossberg is the only grandson of President John F. Kennedy and the son of Caroline Kennedy, the longtime U.S. Ambassador to Australia and Japan. His attempt to win elected office would have marked the first time a member of his family had held public office in nearly a decade. His profile rose significantly in 2024 when he delivered a widely praised speech at the Democratic National Convention endorsing President Joe Biden and later Kamala Harris.
The loss does not necessarily mark the end of his political ambitions. Schlossberg is 33, and Democratic races in New York tend to reshape themselves quickly.
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