Quick Read
- Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is set to endorse Jack Schlossberg for New York’s 12th Congressional District.
- Schlossberg is the grandson of President John F. Kennedy and son of former Ambassador Caroline Kennedy.
- The endorsement, expected on Sunday, is seen as a significant boost for Schlossberg in a crowded Democratic primary.
- Pelosi stated Schlossberg’s candidacy will “help Democrats win nationwide” during a “consequential moment” for politics.
- Schlossberg faces several contenders, including Micah Lasher, who has the incumbent Jerry Nadler’s endorsement.
NEW YORK (Azat TV) – Former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is poised to formally endorse Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of President John F. Kennedy, in his campaign for a highly sought-after congressional seat representing New York’s 12th Congressional District. The announcement, expected on Sunday, marks a significant intervention by the veteran Democratic leader in a crowded primary race and is anticipated to provide a substantial boost to Schlossberg’s efforts to secure the affluent Manhattan constituency.
Pelosi, a renowned strategist and prolific fundraiser, typically refrains from endorsing candidates in primary elections, making her decision to back the 33-year-old Schlossberg particularly notable. According to a report by The New York Times, her support is intended to help Democrats succeed nationwide during what she described as a “consequential moment” where “faith in politics is fractured.” Schlossberg, the son of former U.S. ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy, welcomed the endorsement, telling the Times that Pelosi is a “hero” and likening her backing to a “shot of adrenaline” for his campaign.
The Contested Race for New York’s 12th Congressional District
The 12th Congressional District, which encompasses iconic Manhattan landmarks such as Central Park and the United Nations, became open following the announced retirement of long-serving Representative Jerry Nadler. Schlossberg entered the race in November, but his path to Washington is far from clear. He faces a robust field of Democratic hopefuls, each bringing their own experience and political capital to the contest.
Among his key opponents is Micah Lasher, a current state assemblyman and a long-time confidant of the retiring incumbent, Jerry Nadler. Lasher has already secured Nadler’s endorsement, a factor that initially positioned him as a frontrunner. Other notable contenders include Alex Bores, another New York State Assembly member; Jami Floyd, a prominent broadcast journalist; and George Conway, a high-profile lawyer known for his outspoken criticism of Donald Trump.
Kennedy Legacy Meets Political Scrutiny
Jack Schlossberg, a member of one of America’s most enduring political dynasties, brings the powerful Kennedy name to the race. He is not only the grandson of JFK but also the cousin of U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. Despite his lineage, Schlossberg has faced scrutiny regarding his qualifications. Representative Nadler, prior to endorsing Lasher, had publicly expressed skepticism about Schlossberg’s ambitions, remarking in September that a successor should possess a “record of public accomplishment,” suggesting that the young candidate “doesn’t have one.”
Pelosi’s endorsement signals a strategic calculation, potentially aiming to leverage the enduring appeal of the Kennedy name and Schlossberg’s fresh perspective in a district that often seeks progressive leadership. While Pelosi generally avoids primary interference, this is not her first time supporting a Kennedy in a competitive race; she previously backed Joseph P Kennedy III in his unsuccessful 2020 Senate bid in Massachusetts.
Pelosi’s decision to back Schlossberg, despite his lack of a traditional political record and the presence of an incumbent-endorsed opponent, underscores a calculated effort to inject new energy and a familiar, powerful brand into the Democratic Party’s electoral strategy for a critical urban district.