Copyright The New York Times
Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of John F. Kennedy, said he would run for the congressional seat being vacated by Representative Jerrold Nadler, joining the crowded Democratic primary in an influential New York City district and continuing his family’s legacy in electoral politics. Mr. Schlossberg, 32, is perhaps best known as a social-media political commentator and provocateur who has frequently weighed in on national issues. He shared the news of his campaign in an email to supporters on Tuesday night. In an interview earlier on Tuesday, he said he felt the Democratic Party needed more voices to push back on perceived abuses of power by President Trump and his allies, arguing that a Democratic majority in the House of Representatives was the only way to restore democratic norms. “There is nothing our party can’t do to address costs of living, corruption and the constitutional crisis that we’re in,” he said. “But without the control of Congress, there’s almost nothing that we can do.” He has been especially critical — at times viciously so — of his cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who, despite his skepticism of vaccines and of science-backed public health policies, now serves as health secretary under Mr. Trump. When Mr. Nadler, a symbol of the Democratic old guard, announced in September that he would not seek re-election in New York’s 12th Congressional District after more than three decades in office, he acknowledged widespread calls for his party to embrace newer, younger faces. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. Already a subscriber? Log in. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
