The BareStory
Jack Schlossberg, the 32-year-old grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, has announced his candidacy as a Democrat for New York's 12th congressional district. He is seeking to replace the retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler in the district that includes parts of Manhattan. Schlossberg, who holds degrees from both Harvard and Yale, launched his campaign with a media interview and profile. State assemblyman Micah Lasher, a former aide to Nadler, is also running in the Democratic primary.
Schlossberg’s candidacy has drawn attention to his social media activity. In a deleted post from January, he reportedly proposed a recipe that included "2 oz of Jew blood (ashkenazi not Sephardic)" and male semen. The post was described as a mockery of his relative, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and a conspiracy theory previously promoted by RFK Jr. Schlossberg has since stated that he "behaved bizarrely to get attention" for his criticisms of RFK Jr.
In a recent profile, Schlossberg cited his father’s Jewish heritage as a source of empathy for the Jewish community, stating he is "very sensitive" to their concerns. He told a publication last year that he identifies "culturally" as Jewish, though not "technically" so, as his mother is Catholic. His campaign did not respond to a request for comment regarding the controversial post.
Reactions to his candidacy have been mixed. According to one report, his mother, Caroline Kennedy, expressed she "doesn't want" him to run due to safety concerns, though in a profile she praised his "inner strength." His cousin, Kathleen Kennedy, was quoted as saying she hopes he "gets the help he needs." Outgoing Rep. Nadler stated in September he would prefer a successor "who has accomplished something in life." Attorney Alan Dershowitz told a newspaper that Schlossberg is "obviously disturbed," while family friend David Letterman provided a supportive statement.
How it may affect me
As a U.S. reader:
• The election will replace a retiring representative, affecting that district’s vote on national laws, though the specific policy impact remains speculative.
• The candidate's famous name may draw national media and donor attention to this race, potentially influencing the broader political landscape.
• Controversy over the candidate's past statements could affect how political fitness and the use of satire are evaluated by media and voters in future elections.
