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In a surprising political twist, Jack Schlossberg, grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, is positioning himself as an anti-establishment outsider in his bid for New York’s 12th Congressional District seat, despite his ties to one of America’s most influential political dynasties.
“It’s probably hard for people to believe me saying that I’m an anti-establishment outsider given my family ties, but in this race, I really am,” Schlossberg told Fox News Digital. “I am going up against a political machine here in NY-12 that doesn’t want change, that doesn’t want any outsiders to come shake things up.”
Schlossberg is one of twelve Democrats vying to replace Congressman Jerry Nadler, who announced his retirement in September after more than three decades in Congress. The 78-year-old Nadler cited the need for “generational change” within the Democratic Party when stepping down.
The 33-year-old Kennedy scion claims local Democratic organizations have sidelined his campaign, describing instances where he discovered candidate forums only after seeing promotional materials listing other candidates. “We found out about the forum because it was posted online with the lineup of all the other candidates, and we hadn’t been invited yet,” he explained.
Despite these challenges, Schlossberg notes his campaign is resonating with grassroots supporters. “I posted one infographic on my Instagram during the middle of a blizzard, and we had 300 people show up for a pizza party the next day,” he said, emphasizing the people-powered nature of his campaign.
Campaign finance reports show Schlossberg trailing behind venture capitalist Alex Bores and State Representative Micah Lasher—a Nadler protégé—in fundraising and cash on hand. While Schlossberg benefits from personal wealth and an endorsement from family friend and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, he has struggled to secure backing from prominent local Democratic organizations.
The Four Freedoms Democratic Club and The NewDEAL have endorsed Bores, while the Eleanor Roosevelt Independent Democrats have thrown their support behind Lasher. Most local elected Democrats have backed candidates other than Schlossberg.
Critics question Schlossberg’s self-styled outsider image. An operative from a rival campaign told Fox News Digital that “not having accomplishments or a track record doesn’t make you an outsider, it makes you unqualified.”
Schlossberg has emphasized his independence from special interests, noting, “I’m the only candidate who’s gone out and said I won’t take money from corporate PACs, from super PACs, or from big AI companies.” He points to his average donation size of $40 as evidence of grassroots support.
The congressional hopeful is focusing his campaign on several targeted policy proposals, including a “standard renters deduction” allowing NY-12 residents to deduct a portion of their rent from federal income taxes, measures to lower food and clothing costs by addressing specific tariffs, and a “Jack’s Fast Track Plan” to double funding for security upgrades at religious institutions.
Schlossberg has also proposed the “Ricochet Rule” to combat the flow of illegal firearms into New York State. These proposals aim to connect with district voters, 81% of whom supported Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
The Kennedy grandson has drawn criticism from Republicans and conservatives for his progressive policy positions and outspoken criticism of the Trump administration, which at times included his own cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Schlossberg’s candidacy represents an intriguing political development in a district where winning the Democratic primary on June 23 is widely considered tantamount to winning the general election in November. His campaign tests whether voters in one of the nation’s most Democratic districts will embrace a Kennedy family member positioning himself against the political establishment while running on progressive policies.
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12 Comments
While a Kennedy scion running as an anti-establishment candidate may seem paradoxical, this race could be a bellwether for broader trends in the Democratic Party.
I’m curious to hear more about Schlossberg’s specific policy platform and how it differs from the other Democratic candidates.
This race highlights the ongoing tensions within the Democratic Party around generational change and the role of political dynasties. I’ll be watching it closely.
Schlossberg’s claims of being sidelined by the local party machine are certainly notable. Voters will have to weigh his establishment ties vs. his outsider positioning.
It’s an intriguing dynamic to have a member of one of America’s most famous political dynasties positioning himself as an anti-establishment candidate. I’m curious to see how it plays out.
Schlossberg’s claims of being sidelined by the local party machine are worth looking into further. Transparency and fair play are important in any democratic process.
The idea of ‘generational change’ in the Democratic Party is an interesting one. This race will test whether voters are ready to embrace a new generation of leaders.
Schlossberg’s family ties could be both an asset and a liability in this campaign. It will be fascinating to see how he navigates that dynamic.
A Kennedy running as an outsider is certainly a twist. I’ll be watching to see if he can effectively distance himself from the political establishment.
This race could provide insights into the current state of the Democratic Party and the direction its voters want to take the party.
Interesting to see a Kennedy challenging the Democratic establishment. I’m curious to learn more about his platform and vision for change.
Given his family legacy, it will be fascinating to see if he can position himself as an outsider candidate.